By Allieu Sahid Tunkara
In spite of an increment in public transport fares, some commercial motor drivers in Freetown have expressed unhappiness, saying the increment is too little.
Although drivers who spoke to Politico said they would accept the decision albeit reluctantly, on the streets there is a visible act of defiance among many. Some are charging beyond the stipulated prices agreed between the government and the Drivers’ Union.
The need to review the transportation fares came following Monday’s announcement of a new fuel pricing policy. The price of petrol went up 20%, from Le7, 000, to Le8, 500. The prices of Kerosene and Diesel also went up by about 12%.
The increment in petroleum prices came amidst concern from oil marketers who said they could no longer sell at the normal prices when the world price had shot up.
The subsequent announcement by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) came following weeks of negotiation, amidst concerns from the public about its potential effect on the masses, especially with regards transportation.
The announcement was followed immediately by a meeting among officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, and representatives of the Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers’ Union.
Prior to the announcement, passengers were supposed to pay Le 1,300 for conveyance to various destinations within Freetown. But drivers would collect Le 1,500 since they could not give back the balance of Le 200 to the passengers probably owing to shortage of coins. The new fares list now rounded up the price for most destinations to Le1, 500.
But defiant drivers are still demanding above this amount, and they have a cunning way of doing this: through the so-called two-way or half-way syndrome.
Calaba Town resident Adama Kanu laments the daily struggles she undergoes commuting between her home and Bombay Street in the center of the city, where she sells palm oil and assorted local food stuff. She says she spends at least an hour waiting for a vehicle with a reasonable transport fare.
“Drivers demand double the transport fare we usually pay. They always explain that fuel price has shot up,” she said.
“This is a worrying a situation as only those with money that can travel at the right time,” she added.
Abdul Karim Kabba, a driver at the Texaco Lorry Park in the east end of the city, told Politico that they were disappointed and embarrassed by the failure of the authorities to come up with an acceptable price list. Kabba, who plies the Freetown-Makeni highway, lamented that the new fares has left them with little to take care of the cost of servicing their vehicles.
“It is a big loss to us as the government announced a new price for fuel but orders us to go with the old fares. We have no alternative but to accept the order,” he stated.
Foday Sheka Sowa, Secretary to the park Chairman, said the have already embarked on a sensitization of drivers to get them comply with the new pricing list announced by the government. “We will continue to warn them every day to comply with the new prices announced by the government. If they continue to charge any price other than the new price, it is a case between them and the law,” Sowa told politico.
But according to commuters, drivers are already defying the rules, despite the assurances.
And Sullaiman Kamara, who commutes between Wellington and Central Freetown, blames the authorities for failing to take their responsibilities. Kamara pays between Le10, 000 and Le 15,000 daily to reach his destination. He said the unlawful acts of drivers’ is only happening because the police aren’t doing t=their work.
“If the police arrest and charge drivers to court, I the problem would be solved,” he said.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Samuel Saio Conteh, Deputy Head of Police Media, said the police were on the alert to prosecute any driver found going against the regarding the current transport fares.
“Any driver who extorts more money from passengers does so at their own risk. The police would not hesitate to charge to court any driver who flouts the laws in respect of the new fuel price increase,” he told Politico.
Published in print on 4 July 2019
© 2019 Politico Online
