DRIVERS RESUME RECKLESS PARKING ON PAVEMENTS (PAGE 29)

DRIVERS have resumed reckless parking on both sides of the streets and unauthorised places in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis, because the assembly has suspended the operation of the 24-hour towing service.
The suspension came about because the company, which was operating the service, failed to meet the expectations of the assembly.
At the moment, the assembly has not found a replacement and, therefore, there is complete lawlessness on the streets.
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly had hitherto designated parking lots on the streets in the metropolis where people could park their vehicles.
The Public Relations Officer of the assembly, Mr John Laste, said the assembly had put the services of the company on hold for some time, since they had not met the expectation of the assembly.
He said at the moment, city guards had been deployed on the streets to ensure sanity on the roads.
However, a tour around the metropolis by the Daily Graphic indicated that the guards were not up to the task.
Although the former towing company was under-resourced; it provided some checks that helped to reduce and control the recklessness on the roads, since they often clamped vehicles and the offenders were made to pay instant fines of GH¢40.
The current situation in the metropolis, especially the central business district indicates that most commercial drivers have a stronger edge over the city guards.
Some taxi drivers have moved to the street corners and park in front of supermarkets and jostle one another for passengers coming out from the shops, a situation which was previously unknown.
The reality is, apart from the State Transport Company yard and two other bus terminals opposite the Mankesim Whitehouse near the Market Circle, there are no bus terminals in the metropolis and drivers do whatever they deem fit.
Besides, business activities around the Market Circle have resumed with zeal, causing a lot of inconvenience to motorists. Most hawkers display their wares on “trucks” and take over one side of the roads, especially those around the Market Circle.
When the Daily Graphic enquired from the drivers if they were aware of the inconvenience they were causing to other road users as a result of their business activities, they laughed it off and said it was election time, so they were at liberty to do whatever pleased them.