By: Kemo Kanyi
The villagers of Banyaka, Kombo South District, West Coast Region, called on the relevant authorities to intervene in the dispute between the passengers and drivers, plying the Tippa Garage-BanyakaHighway in relation to the dictates of the tariff regulations.
The villagers have expressed dissatisfaction over the behaviour of drivers in a press conference held at the village on Saturday 12th October, 2024, who they accused of not complying withthe destination directed by the stipulated tariff of The Gambia Transport Union, which covers from Tippa Garage to Kunkunjang Mariama via Banyaka.
Sainey Camara, the Alkalo of Banyakavillage, said the village has been facing this issue in the past couple of years or more, and now they want to put an end to the situation.
‘’We have been in this struggle for the past two to three years but we have now taken the necessary steps to liaise with relevant authorities to put an end to the struggle we are currently facing,” Mr Camara stated.
He called on the authorities to intervene in order to resolve the issues faced.
Almamo Touray, the secretary-general of Banyaka VDC, stated that they have taken an earlier step in a meeting with the drivers at the Alkalo’s compound but anagreement couldn’t be reached between them and the drivers.
‘’I was banned by the drivers from entering the vehicles because of my position as the secretary-general of the VDC,’’ he told reporters.
Awa Camara, representative of the village women, said the dispute is a source ofdespair for the women of the village.
‘’We the women vendors are finding it very difficult going about our daily business routine. We don’t want any violence. This is why we are following due processes since the onset of this saga. We want the authorities to know our situation and prioritize dialogue to resolve it,’’ she stated.
In a letter addressed to the Gambia Transport Union dated 29th July, 2024, about the concerns observed by the village on drivers’ behaviour, villagers indicated that after monitoring drivers, the action still remains unsatisfactory and advised them to comply with the law but to no avail.
‘’We have given them several pieces of advice to reach at their final destination(Kunkujang Mariama). However, we did not see any significant improvement in their behaviour. The natives of Banyakahave suffered tremendously in the hands of the drivers by deliberately refusing to take them to their final destination. Instead, they have decided to form their own garage at the entrance of the village, where a 40-footer container is situated. Again,one can see the daily quarrels and disturbances between the drivers and clients. Those that suffer the worst are women and elders,’’ the villages explained in a letter addressed to The Gambia Transport Union.
Another letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport dated 2ndOctober, 2024, also raised the same concern after they haven’t received any response from the Gambia Transport Union on the issue. The letter added that the response was only received by the Bakoteh Police Station, and the Station Officer called for a dialogue, after which the police engaged them to maintenance the road, which they did.
‘’Before the maintenance of the road, two incidents occurred. The first incident resulted in injury of a young man in Banyaka. The second incident was caused by a driver refusing to enter the village,leading to the impounding of his vehicle by the youth of Banyaka. The matter was reported to Tujereng police station by the drivers. The VDC secretary-general, who led the operation, and the Alkalo were called for questioning by the police,’’ the letter to PS, Ministry of Transport stated.
