SUMATRA pledges to end drivers’ problems

The Director General of the Surface and Marine Transport Authority (SUMATRA) Mr. Gilliad Wilson Ngewe has pledged to end the long standing drivers’ problem which has been a cause of instigation into forcing them to go on strike. Ngewe made on Saturday last week in Dar es Salaam in a meeting with drivers which was organized by Tanzania Drivers Workers Union (TADWU) whereby President Jakaya Kikwete graced the occasion as a guest of honour. The call of Ngewe of making a pledge came after President Kikwete had pointed an accusing finger to the authority while addressing the congregation saying that it was directly responsible for the delays of the long standing claims which drivers had lounged and yet none of them is already solved. “SUMNATRA you ar creating problems with drivers as you tend to discriminate them of their associations, an aspect that you are inciting chaos among them as some see that are not given special attention they deserve’, he said while directing the authority to be in the forefront to look after the welfare of all drivers. 

Stranded passengers at Ubungo upcountry bus terminal in Dar es Salaam pondering their move forward  during the recent drivers' strike that shocked the nation for seven hours.

In his pledge, the SUMATRA boss assured the drivers and other transport stakeholders who attended the meeting that, ‘he will meet with the ministry of labour officials on Monday (Tomorrow)and others from the ministry of transport to deliberate the already presented problems facing drivers in the country and come out with a solution. Drivers for long had filed their problems complaining about the employment contracts and better remunerations such as salaries and allowances which are not paid to them satisfactorily by their employers. Other problems were related with payments of their terminal benefits upon their retirement or at the time they leave or have their job suspended that are poorly paid. Earlier President Kikwete thanked the drivers for having established a single association that looks after their problems ad was happy to hear that the Kinondoni District Commissioner Pauil Makonda is the custodian of the association. He has also contributed Sh. 100 million to the association, while the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Sadiq Meck Sadiq pledged to buy for the association office equipment such as computers and some furniture as a way to consolidate the association.