By Sylvia Sika Afealetey, GNA
Ho, Dec. 20, GNA - Mr Peter Claver Nantuo, Volta Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service has asked commercial drivers to be security conscious and work with Immigration officers for mutual benefit.
He said the task of transporting people and goods across the country was risky and underscored the need for drivers to work with Immigration officers at checkpoints to prevent unauthorised people or goods into towns or cities.
Mr. Nantuo said this at an interactive forum organised by security agencies with transport unions in Ho on the theme; “Transport Unions, a Key Partner of the Security Agencies.”
He said commercial drivers played critical roles in security matters and called for more collaboration between them and security agencies.
Mr. Nantuo asked drivers to be wary of foreigners and goods they transport and provide relevant information to security officers to curb crime and other unlawful acts.
He called for regular interactions between drivers and security personnel to 'kill' mistrust.
Mr Edward Oduro-Kwateng, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP),Volta Regional Police Commander, said it was important to educate and sensitize drivers on the modus operandi of criminals to avoid becoming victims or partners in crime.
He entreated drivers, conductors and bookmen to be observant and inquire about people who board their vehicles with suspicious concealed goods, saying “you have every right to question the owner of the luggage to know its contents.”
Mr. Oduro-Kwateng said the same vehicles that were used to convey passengers and goods also conveyed contraband goods and criminals and drivers should therefore be alert not to be victims or agents.
He also called on drivers to look out for all forms of human trafficking such as transporting children in large numbers to other villages, towns and other regions to engage in hazardous works.
Mr. Oduro-Kwateng advised drivers to adhere to road safety principles to reduce road crashes and accidents.“Let us deepen the relations between the Police and Transport Unions to prevent or pre-empt crime and also make our roads a safer place for all road users”, he stated.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bediako Addo, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority said drivers whether educated or not should request for documentation of duties on goods they were transporting to prevent unauthorised goods into the country.
She also said drivers should make sure that taxes were paid on goods they were transporting across the borders.
Mr. Prince Billy Anaglatey, Second in Command (DO1), Ghana National Fire Service, Volta Region, said it was lawful that every vehicle should owned a fire extinguisher and called on drivers to have suitable fire extinguishers and first aid to help in times of dangers.
Mr David Nyabire Apusigah, Prison Paralegal Officer, Ho, urged drivers to report any passenger who dressed suspiciously or dressed in any prisoners colour to Police, Immigration or the nearest snap checks to prevent prison escapees from committing another crime.
He cautioned drivers not to allow passengers to compel them to stop at isolated places to urinate or defecate, saying they could do that at stopovers in towns and villages.
Mr Padmore Danyo-McBilly, Volta Regional Industrial Relations Officer, GPRTU, said security agencies should increase speed checking machines on the roads in order to prevent drivers from speeding especially during Christmas seasons.
He said the Transport Unions would not encourage any act of unprofessionalism on the road and urged security agencies to increase the alcohol testing machines on the roads to deal with drunk-drivers.
GNA
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