THE Police in the tiny West African nation of The Gambia have been issued a warning by members of the Gambia Transport, Food and Agricultural, Industrial Workers Union (GTFAIWU).
The union in a press release accused the country's police boss of meddling into the their internal affairs, development which they condemn in the strongest terms.
Reacting the acting president of the union complained that the Inspector General has dumped all peace initiatives suggested by the Minister of Interior by setting up Banjul Transport Workers Association, which includes the proscribed the Gambia Transport Control Association which is currently under trial for alleged economic sabotage.
Acting President of the union, Mr Jobe called attention to the meeting earlier convened with the Interior Minister whose advice was cooperation with the country's police boss with a view to revitalizing the sector.
According to him, the union has been subjected to all forms of intimidation and suppression by the authorities for the past 15 years while reminding everyone of the union's existence which is recognized nationally and internationally.
His words: “Any time we wanted to stand for our rights, by trying to do our work, the police come and arrest our members. They supported the GNTCA until the transport workers in Bissau wrote to the former government exposing the economic losses the association causes to the country, leading to the banning of the GNTCA in April 2016.
“We have been blocked and prevent from working for about 11months now. This is among reasons why the Minister asked us to work with the police to remove the barriers tenable us work. But instead of working with us, the IGP is siding with an association created within a month, trying to coordinate the union. This is not fair,” said Mr Jobe.
“We had our Congress that was presided over by the IEC. Therefore it is wrong to say we are not recognized,” he said.
He rounded off by a warning to the Inspector General of Police to stop henceforth what he described as 'divide and rule tactic' which held sway under the country's exiled dictator, Mr Yahya Jammeh and further warned that justice and fair play must be allowed under the new administration.
In a similar vein, the National Field Coordinator of GTFAIWU, Famara Saidy, has lent his voice to the barrage of warning to the Police Inspector General to desist from meddling into the affairs of the union which he said has been operating in the past 30 calendar years.
He lambasted the police for working against all democratic norms by trying to determine who their leaders should be. This, he said, is against the union's existing democratic tenets and traditions.
His words: “We have been operating for over 30 years. It is drivers who elected their leaders. The police cannot elect leaders for us.
“When we met with the Interior Minister, he told us that it is wrong for the transport sector to be halted for 11 months,” he added.
Like Us on Facebook!
Do You Need a Sugar Mummy, Sugar Daddy, Girlfriend, Boyfriend Wife or Husband? If Yes, Then Click Here For Details
0 comments:
Post a Comment