By Momodou Justice Darboe
Hundreds of commercial vehicle drivers on Tuesday descended on the offices of the Gambia Transport Union (GTU) in Banjul, agitating for the closure of the office as the long-standing leadership struggle within the union showed no sign of abating.
GTU offices on Buckle Street was yesterday inundated by members of rival groups of the union who went there to insist that the office be vacated with both sides pointing accusing fingers at each other for what they called the unproductivity of the union.
Protesters stormed the offices to force its closure but the other camp insisted the office remain open until such time that a national congress is convened to elect a new leadership. Protesters could be seen removing some office equipment, culminating in fracas between the two camps.
It could be recalled that Gambia’s former dictator, Yaya Jammeh, imposed a ban on GTU and its executives were charged with economic crimes but the case was subsequently dismissed.
Claiming to be speaking in the capacity of GTU President, Omar Ceesay explained: “Following 2016 Presidential elections in the country, drivers decided to come under one umbrella to defend and promote their interests. It was during this that I was elected President whilst the former executives were on trial. However since their case was thrown out, they [executive] were bent on threatening us with violence because we refuse their attempts to impose themselves on us.” He added that Tuesday’s protest was engendered by an attempt made by the past executive to occupy the Buckle Street offices.
“We are waiting for an arbitration from the central Government before we organise ourselves for congress,” he stated.
Meanwhile the rift between the two rival groups of GTU emerged two years ago and Malick Ngom, who claims to be the secretary general of the union, made a passionate call on relevant authorities to intervene.
