Drivers operating from the Komenda Junction station are appealing to local authorities and their Member of Parliament for urgent interventions to improve their working conditions, highlighting a critical lack of toilet facilities as their most pressing concern.
The issue was brought to the fore by the Station Chairman, Peter, who, in an interview with VOKGhana, revealed that the bustling transport hub has no public toilet facilities in its immediate vicinity.
“This makes it difficult for drivers, traders, and passersby to attend to their needs, when necessary,” Peter stated, underscoring that the problem affects not just the drivers but the entire community that relies on the junction.
The drivers’ appeal comes amidst ongoing road construction in the area. While acknowledging the project, some drivers expressed skepticism about its direct benefit to their specific plight. They emphasized that a dedicated public toilet facility is a separate and essential need that must be addressed independently of the roadworks.
“The road construction is for vehicles, but a toilet is a basic human necessity. We have been informed that the construction will affect us, but we believe a proper facility would serve everyone, not just us drivers,” one driver commented.
Beyond the sanitation crisis, the drivers raised a second major grievance: the disruptive operations of tricycles, popularly known as “Pragya.” According to the drivers, the tricycle operators’ driving habits are making their stay at the station unbearable.
They accused the “Pragya” drivers of reckless and unruly behaviour, which contributes to traffic congestion and safety hazards. The drivers are now calling on city authorities, including the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), to sensitize the tricycle operators on proper road usage and etiquette.
“Their behaviour is unacceptable and is tarnishing the order we try to maintain here. We need the authorities to step in and regulate their activities,” another driver appealed.
In a separate appeal aimed at improving their welfare during long hours at the station, some drivers have directly pleaded with the Member of Parliament for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) constituency, Hon. Samuel Atta Mills.
The drivers are requesting the provision of a television set for the station. They argued that such an amenity would offer a source of entertainment and information, allowing them to relax and stay updated while awaiting their turn to pick up passengers.
The collective appeals from the drivers at Komenda Junction paint a picture of a workforce in need of basic infrastructural and social support. Their calls highlight a gap in urban planning for public transport hubs and the need for improved conditions for those who keep the local economy moving.