Tipper truck drivers in the Gomoa East District have registered their displeasure following a clash that ensued between them and the police over a levy imposed by the Gomoa East District Assembly.
The police had moved in to arrest some drivers who failed to comply with the directive resulting in fierce resistance by the drivers.
The Gomoa East District Assembly instituted the Quarry Development Fund a few months back. The Assembly envisages utilizing the proceeds on development expansion within the district and is seeking to levy each tipper truck GHC 80.00 per truckload of quarry materials.
But the policy has been met with resistance as the drivers describe the levy as too huge and potentially crippling their business.
Even though the DCE of the area, Solomon Darko Quarm has held several meetings with tipper truck operators, it has not been easy getting the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) registered drivers to comply.
A failure on the part of some drivers to pay the levy caused the Assembly to invite the police for their arrest.
But there was a near volatile situation when personnel from the Central East Regional Police Command stepped in to effect the arrest.
Describing the levy as obnoxious, satiation master for the PROTOA Tipper Truck Drivers Association, Eric Addo called on the Minister of Local Government to intervene.
He has also called on the IGP George Akufo Dampare to direct the Central East Regional Command to be circumspect in handling the matter.
According to him, the supposed levy should rather be imposed on quarry operators.
By: Akwasi Addo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
