A
week or so ago the whole nation was widely informed about the agreement reached
between the government authorities and transport unions covering commercial
vehicle owners and drivers, to reduce transport tariffs and fares across the
country.
This
agreement was to take effect yesterday Monday 21 August but instead of that,
some drivers and union leaders decided to observe a sit-down strike, depriving
the nation of the essential service of transport thereby try to prevent
movement of people and goods, as well as run down the economy of the nation.
We
cannot really understand why the strike, after a thorough discussion,
negotiation and agreement had been reached.
We
were told by the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure that: “The
reductions in transport fares and tariffs are adopted in line with the current
decrease in domestic retail price of fuel and after thorough consultations with
all the relevant government stakeholders, transport unions and associations.”
Following
the last increment of fares, there has been “significant reduction of 25 per
cent” in the price of fuel in the country for a long period of time. According
to the transport ministry, “this prompted the government through consultations
with various stakeholders, including transport unions and associations, to
negotiate and ensure a downward revision of transport fares both for passengers
and commodities.”
If
this was the case, so why the unruly behaviour by the commercial vehicle
drivers and owners, when they are expected to fully cooperate and let’s peace
and understanding reign.
For
now it is more questions than answers, and it seems the authorities would have
to sit down again with the transport union heads and commercial vehicle drivers
and owners to iron out this malaise and disagree to agree.
Meanwhile
we should not allow the transport sector or transporters to hold this nation to
ransom.
And
it seems the government through the transport ministry is also holding firm to
its position of no turning back in its effort to ensure fair transport tariffs
are given the people.
The
latest statement on the issue from the Minister of Transport, Works and
Infrastructure says: “We hereby reaffirm that there is no reason to turn back
to the old tariffs. All transport unions / associations and drivers are advised
to abide by the new tariffs.
“Therefore,
we would like to call on all the relevant stakeholders, especially the
transport unions and drivers, to make this fare reduction a reality. The
government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of current pump price
reductions fully trickle down to the general public.”
Please
let’s continue to jaw jaw and disagree to agree, but let’s don’t try to hold
the country to ransom.
“Mindless
habitual behavior is the enemy of innovation.“
Rosabeth
Moss Kanter
