The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi West, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, has issued a stern warning to pragya (tricycle) riders in the municipality, urging them to comply with traffic regulations and adhere to the recent fare reduction directives announced by transport unions.
Her remarks came during a meeting with transport unions and stakeholders in Obuasi, aimed at assessing the state of transportation and addressing key challenges affecting the sector.
Speaking to Adom News after the engagement, Madam Appiah Kannin emphasized that the directive to reduce fares is part of efforts to alleviate the economic burden on residents. She cautioned that any operator who defies the directive would face appropriate sanctions.
“I have listened to the concerns of the drivers and acknowledged their challenges, but the overall welfare of the people must also be considered,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Supt. George Owusu Aboagye, Ashanti South Regional MTTD Commander, expressed concern about the growing indiscipline among pragya riders.
He noted that their operations are increasingly contributing to traffic congestion in Obuasi.
He revealed that the MTTD is putting measures in place to regulate the activities of the riders and warned those who deliberately cover or remove their number plates to desist.
“We will begin a crackdown on such offenders in the coming days,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Obuasi Pragya Riders Association, Alhaji Musa Abdulai, admitted that some riders were indeed defying the rules.
He pledged that the association would not shield any member who breaks the law.
He also advised all pragya operators to ensure their tricycles are properly registered with visible number plates, stressing the need to comply with legal requirements before it’s too late.