By Gibao Brima

Passengers and a group known as Friends of Waterloo have expressed their frustration over the negative attitude of particularly poda poda drivers plying Waterloo/Bombay route. They said these drivers are in the habit of extorting them. “Passengers are asked to pay special fare for the front seat which is very unfair, given the prevailing economic situation everyone,” they added in lamentation.

Talking to cross section of passengers and members of Friends of Waterloo, they told Africa24 it has become a norm for these drivers to extort passengers especially those living in Waterloo. They condemned this attitude of paying special amount for front seat as unpatriotic, given that vehicle owners are not taking special license for front seats.  The truth is that there is no double license for poda-podas. Friends of Waterloo are therefore calling on the newly elected Driver’s Union President Mr. Ibrahim Sam for action because they regard such attitude as a criminal act. They said they believe he has the capacity to talk to these drivers since he has been with them before been elected.

As if paying special fare for front seat is enough, these heartless drivers are also in the habit to convey passengers halfway despite reduction in fuel prices.

Talking to cross section of drivers they told the Africa24 that they are not on monthly salary, therefore use the front seat to pay them.

Friends of Waterloo are therefore calling on President Sam to replicate Ghanaian Driver’s Union ideology in Sierra Leone where nobody employs commercial drivers   without going through the Drivers’ Union in Ghana. The Union provides and negotiates salaries and benefits for drivers including the payment of their NASSIT contributions.