Labour unions decry clandestine transport

Some taxi driver unions in Douala presented their grievances to the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, Naseri Paul Bea, after the announcement of an imminent strike by transport unions as a result of the disorder hindering their activities.

They presented their grievances to the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri on November 10, 2015.

During the meeting attended by law enforcement officers and staff of the Littoral Regional Delegation of Transport, the Regional President of the National Union of Professional Drivers, Nkouandou Mefire, decried the growing rate of clandestine transport.

He said vehicles with different colours and without drivers’ identification badges charge exorbitant tariffs and continue to operate in airports, railway stations, in front of hotels, night clubs, restaurants, roundabouts and bus stations. Nkouandou Mefire said the situation creates unfair competition.

Union leaders also denounced frequent taxi cab checks by Douala Sub-divisional and City Council workers who allegedly demand all vehicle documents instead of only the Council Tax. They also complained of the frequent harassment of taxi drivers by security operatives who focus on money instead of checking vehicle papers.

The non-respect of road signs by police and commercial motorbike riders, the bad state of roads and the lengthy clean-up campaigns carried out every last Thursday of the month in Douala IV Council, were some of the complaints. The drivers said the ban on movement of taxis during clean-up time interferes with their business.

After listening to the complaints, Naseri Paul Bea promised to work with different stakeholders to ensure that solutions are found to them. He promised that the four-hour monthly clean-up campaign would be reduced and the exorbitant tariffs charged at the Douala International Airport revisited.

Similarly, frequent checks of cabs by Douala Sub-divisional and City Council workers will be looked into, while other grievances will be tackled gradually.