The National Tipper Truck Drivers Association has declared a strike over the government’s inability to address the issue of the cost of quarry stones.
The group, with a membership of over 3,000 people, held a press conference last week to plead with the government to address its concerns.
Tipper trucks loaded with stones on the main Kasoa road have been stopped from operating as part of the strike.
Plea to government
Kadri Inusah, the president of the National Tipper Truck Drivers Association, said they are ready to sit with the government to find ways to resolve the problem.
He said the government has so far failed to take any action over the high cost of stones and dust despite numerous appeals.
Some of the drivers said the cost of quarry materials produced by Chinese companies has increased astronomically, damaging their finances.
“The reason for this demonstration is we want the government to come in, so we sit down over our concerns and problems with the Chinese quarry,” Inusah told Citi FM.
“The cost of stones and dust is very high. We do not engage in company work, we buy from them and sell to individuals. We have been complaining about the price but nothing has been done about it,” he said.
Strong warning
The association leaders threatened to seize the cars of all tipper truck drivers who ignore the strike to go to work.
“What we are doing is in the interest of all drivers. We will stop all tipper drivers who have decided to disobey our directive by seizing their cars.
“We are all fighting for the betterment of us all, so if someone disobeys us we will seize their truck,” one of the drivers said.
“We are the nation’s builders and even when they were building the Jubilee House we contributed as tipper drivers.
“We want the Minerals Commission and the government to intervene. If the government fails to intervene after the one week, we will continue with the strike.”
E A Alanore
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