The Gambia Transport Union has vowed to paralyse the transport system on Monday as they plan to stage a nationwide sit-down strike.

The union says it is striking over the high price of fuel, high price of toll fee at the Senegambia Bridge, the many police checkpoints and expensive mandatory fines on roads.

Omar Ceesay, President of The Gambia Transport Union, said: “By the grace of God on Monday there will be a sit-down strike. I have instructed all drivers to stay at home. 

“Let not one of them go to the garage. We will paralyse the transport system on Monday. We have been compromising with Gambians. We know this will affect innocent Gambians, but it is part of our work to put things right.”

“Our demands are many, but of our imminent demands with the government is the cost of fuel. We all know that The Gambia is one of the countries where fuel price is costly in the subregion. 

“Cost of fuel is playing [sic] 83% in our day-to-day operation and that’s affecting us. A 20 litre of fuel is costing 1,500 dalasis,” he added.

“Police harassment is another issue. It’s like we [the drivers] are not part of this country. Whatever we make in a day, the police will take it from us. 

“Police mount checkpoint for us and if you come you either pay 500 dalasis or 2000 dalasis, a charge they don’t based it on anything just to harass you or frustrate you. 

“Secondly the drivers’ license, the law says three years. So, why the government would make it one year. The government keeps robbing us every year,” he continued.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba