The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) in collaboration with the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has held stakeholder meeting with members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other transport groups in the northern region.
The meeting was to discuss the conduct of drivers pertaining to the compliance of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I 2180) in the metropolis and the highways in the region.
The Northern Regional Commander of MTTD, Chief Superintendent Mahmud Yussif educated the participants on the laws governing the road sector of the country.
He noted the behaviors of motor wheels, cycling, pedestrians as well as everybody using the road in the country.
But with specific reference to the usage of the newly inaugurated Naa Gbewa interchange in the Tamale metropolis, the MTTD Boss pointed out some regulations that prohibit hawkers from trading on the streets and along the underpass and drivers parking at unapproved places.
He noted most people use injurious substances on the road which would most likely lead to causing danger to other road users.
“The interchange was constructed to regulate traffic flow in the area and for the safety of all but because most people in the attempt to misuse it; the stakeholders met and it was agreed that we should regulate the use of it and prevent motorcycles, yellow yellow [tricycles] and pedestrians from plying on top of it, either wise heavy duty trucks and other vehicles are supposed to use it” the Police MTTD Chief explained.
Preferred punishment
Mr. Mahmud Yussif said the department will intensify the public education and engagement with groups and residents of Tamale before the enforcement of the law.
He stated the L.I 2180 comes with some punishment for people found culpable infringing on the law. He emphasized the law profers between 25 penalty units equivalent to GHS300 and 50 penalty units which is also GHS600 and some would be made to serve a jail term of one to three months or both fine and imprisonment.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, Hon Sule Salifu, for his part said the development of the metropolis is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
He implored the GPRTU and its sister unions to liaised with the assembly to identify vacant plots of land that the Chiefs in the area can allocate for them to use as part of the ongoing decongestion exercise.
“It is not in our interest or plans to make anybody jobless or ideal but it is our collective responsibility to keep the city in order. Therefore, it is necessary to always consult one another and continue to meet but if we fail and begin to enforce the laws, it would endanger our mutual friendship as stakeholders” he stated.
He however commended the stakeholders particularly for their cooperation thus far and called for further dialogue on matters that would promote the socioeconomic growth of the metropolis.
