Victory for drivers as govt yields on refresher training

Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda announces in Dar es Salaam yesterday the government’s decision to scrap mandatory refresher courses for drivers wishing to renew their licences. PHOTO | ANTHONY SIAME      

By Henry Mwangonde, The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

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.

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.