The Gambia Transport Union has apologised to passengers for the difficulties caused by their sit-down strike 

The strike has paralysed the transport network causing hardship to many commuters and disrupting businesses in the country. 

“We are sorry to our passengers who have been encountering transportation challenges since the strike commenced in the country. 

“This is not our fault, but we have to stage the protest,” Omar Ceesay, president of the union said 

However, he said they didn’t expect 100 percent compliance for the sit-down strike, but added: “Our expectation was 80 percent and so far, now, we are above 80 percent.

“If you do assessment across the regional level in the country, all the commercial vehicles are not plying. 

“So, if you come to the Greater Banjul Area over 50 percent of the commercial vehicles are not plying. And the trucking side are also not plying the roads so that means that we have good sit-down strike.”

According to Mr Ceesay, he is doing his mandate to advocate for the rights and welfare of drivers in the country, adding that all the members of the union have abided by their instruction to stay home. 

“The achievement is that our voice has been heard, people now know our plights and what we are demanding.

“Since we declared this strike, we didn’t hear from the government and we also haven’t gone to them,” he added.

However, it doesn’t look like the strike will be resolved anytime soon as the government and the union are yet to compromise on the issue. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba