Hamza Hafiz, the National Chairman of the National Union of Tricycle Operators of Ghana (NUTOG), has expressed gratitude to the government for the recent reduction in fuel prices, describing it as a significant relief to tricycle and okada operators across the country.
He said the fuel price reduction has eased the financial burden on riders, enabling them to operate more efficiently while providing affordable transport services to the public. According to him, the move demonstrates the government’s responsiveness to the concerns of transport operators.
Mr. Hafiz urged members of the union to remain disciplined in their operations, stressing that responsible behavior is key to sustaining public confidence and protecting the gains made by the sector. He warned that misconduct by a few riders could undermine the progress achieved over the years.
The NUTOG Chairman announced that the union, in partnership with Dalex, has rolled out a hire purchase programme aimed at empowering riders to own their tricycles and motorcycles under flexible payment arrangements.
He revealed that as part of the programme, NUTOG has targeted the acquisition of 1,500 tricycles for riders this year, a move he described as a major boost to job creation and economic empowerment among the youth.
Mr. Hafiz explained that the hire purchase scheme is designed to promote ownership, accountability, and professionalism within the sector, and encouraged members to take full advantage of the opportunity while honoring the terms of the agreement.
He further commended the Parliament of Ghana for passing legislation to legalize the okada business, calling it a historic milestone that brings clarity and legitimacy to the operations of riders nationwide.
However, he appealed to the President of the Republic to grant swift assent to the bill to ensure its full implementation, noting that delays could slow down the regulation and organization of the sector.
Touching on security concerns, Mr. Hafiz called on the Ghana Immigration Service and other relevant state institutions to tighten border controls and enforcement measures to curb the increasing influx of foreign nationals into the okada business.
He warned that the growing dominance of foreign operators threatens the livelihoods of local riders and urged the government to take decisive steps to protect Ghanaian operators while maintaining order and security within the transport sector.
