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Liberia: Commercial Drivers Defiant - FTUL Says Action Is Unilateral
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The Analyst (Monrovia)
9 July 2008
Posted to the web 9 July 2008
Commercial drivers are testing the resolve of the Liberian Government as to whether it is teethed enough to enforce its new transport fares, which the drivers are challenging. Drivers demonstrated straight defiance yesterday by unilaterally grounding vehicles across the city while others took advantage and charged exorbitantly.
As of early yesterday morning, hardly were commercial vehicles in the streets to ferry commuters to and fro their destinations, and as a result those who could not bear waiting trekked their way to central Monrovia and other parts pf the city.
The drivers are agitating against newly approved transport fares of government, arguing that the government should also adjust the price of gasoline.
However, authorities of the Federation of Transport Union of Liberia (FTUL) disassociated themselves from the action of the drivers, saying that they acted unilaterally.
At a well-attended leadership meeting with the FTUL Chief drivers of various parking lots, held at the FTUL Montserrado Country Branch office on Johnson Street in Monrovia Monday July 7, 2008, the FTUL secretary general Joseph Willie said the FTUL leadership did not approve the commercial drivers' go-slow action. He described such action as a complete defiance to both the Union and the government.
According to him, the FTUL was not in the position to accept the action exhibited by drivers, who he said have problems with the new transportation fares. He called on them to channel their grievances through the FTUL for a proper redress.
Joseph Willie said there may be some lapses in the new fare structures released by the government, but stressed that such demand should be done through dialogue, and not actions would exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.
The FTUL Secretary General expressed regret about the situation and called on the drivers to return to the streets for the sake of peace.
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Meanwhile the Liberian government said it would not take the issue lightly and called on drivers to return to their respective duties. Transport Minister Jackson E. Doe released a statement in the wake of the drivers' action to ground their vehicles.
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