Act tough on accidents, says Sitta

Written by ALVAR MWAKYUSA

Transport Minister Samuel Sitta.

TRANSPORT Minister Samuel Sitta has directed the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) to act tough on operators against recurring road accidents and boycotts by operators in the sector.

Minister Sitta made the directive in Dar es Salaam on the sidelines of a meeting between the ministry and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure.

“I am disturbed a lot by recurring road accidents which are claiming the lives of innocent people. Most of these mishaps are caused by reckless drivers, defective motor vehicles as well as use of second-hand tyres.

“Responsible authorities should take stern action including revocation of operation licences to bring sanity in the transport sector,” the minister stated.

He added: “The government cannot stand aside and let the bus owners and drivers operate as they wish while risking the lives of people.”

He said it was high time bus operators and drivers adhered to legislations and regulations covering the industry lest they face actions from authorities.

Minister Sitta stressed as well that bus owners must ensure parts used in their motor vehicles are of required standards, urging them to also employ two drivers for trips exceeding 700 kilometres.

“When a driver is in control for more than 700 kilometres he/she is likely to experience fatigue which in turn affects efficiency in controlling the motor vehicle,” he noted.

The government, Mr Sitta said, would work to get rid of defective buses and other motor vehicles on the roads which he said were partly to blame for recurring accidents.

In regard to recent boycotts by transport operators and drivers, Minister Sitta said the country is governed by rules and laws which ought to be adhered to.

“It is absurd that drivers or operators can just wake up and start issuing ultimatums to the government that they want this or that to be implemented in their timeframe.

If it is true that drivers and operators in the industry have their grievances these should be channelled to responsible state organs rather than halting services and causing inconveniences to travellers,” he stated.

The minister said if bus owners were not happy with the recent decision to lower fares for upcountry buses they should have appealed through laid down procedures and not pressuring the government to heed to their calls.