Victory for drivers as govt yields on refresher training

Dar es Salaam. The government yesterday withdrew its directive that required public service vehicle (PSV) driving licence holders to undergo a refresher course before renewing their documents.

Such drivers will continue to renew their licences at Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) offices without having to provide proof of their having taken an in-service course.

Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda announced the decision at a news conference.

The scrapping of the requirement was among demands listed by bus drivers, who paralysed transport across the country for two days earlier this week when they went on strike for the second time in as many months. The government’s Public Notice Number 31 directed drivers holding driving licences classes E, C3, C2, C1 and C to attend a refresher course at any recognised institution and be examined thereafter, a move drivers dismissed as exploitative and unnecessary.

They also demanded that the government put pressure on bus owners and ensure that they provided them with contracts and better working conditions.

Mr Makonda said his efforts to end the strike had yielded positive results, saying the government had finally listened to drivers’ grievances.He said he decided to take up the matter to “save” Tanzanians, who were suffering as a result of the strike.

“We’re happy that the government is working on the matter. I’ll see to it that the government gives drivers’ demands the priority they deserve,” he said.

According to Mr Makonda, the Tanzania Truck Drivers Association (TTDA) had been recommended by the government as the interim body that will represent drivers until they register another association that will include all drivers in the country.

TTDA chairman Clement Masanja said they have received the information with joy, adding that the body would cooperate with team formed by the government as part of efforts to improve drivers’ working conditions.

“This is a welcome development. We are hopeful that our demands will be taken care of as the government has shown great commitment to resolving the matter once and for all,” he said.

Mr Masanja added that the transport sector had for a long time been ignored.

The government has appointed a team involving various stakeholders to come up with solutions to problems the transport sector has been grappling with in recent years.

The team, led by Transport Permanent Secretary Shaaban Mwinjaka and Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority Director General Gilliad Ngewe, is expected to start its work tomorrow.

The committee also includes five members from various drivers’ associations. Other members are the permanent secretaries in the Home Affairs, Labour and Employment and Works ministries.The team also includes the Attorney General and head of disaster management in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Transport minister Samuel MrSitta said last week that the committee was formed after it was established that lack of consultations among stakeholders was the main reason for recurrent problems such as strikes.

The team is supposed to meet once in a month, but will begin by meeting more frequently to address drivers’ grievances.

On Tuesday, Mr Makonda assured drivers that the government would have acted on their demands by 10am yesterday. The drivers responded by agreeing to call off their indefinite strike which started on Monday.

The drivers were satisfied after Mr Makonda committed himself with the bold promise that he would endorse their strike if the government would not act as promised.

The stalemate was broken after discussions involving Mr Makonda, Traffic Police Commander Mpinga and the drivers body leadership.