Incisive Journalism in Cameroon: The Best of ��Cameroon Report�� (1978 � 1986)

3. Cameroon Report 28/3/1982: A chaotic Highway Transporters Union

7 3 Cameroon Report 28/3/1982: A chaotic Highway Transporters Union Introduction: This week, representatives of the Cameroon Highway Transporters Union, SETRACAUCAM, held their 4th national congress in Yaounde with proposed increases of transport fares high on the agenda. SAM-NUVALA FONKEM examines road transport in this country and condemns what he sees as the indifference of union workers to the plight of travellers and the absence of any decent facilities in motor-parks: There are unmistakable signs that the transport union, Setracaucam, is headed for increases in transport fares and that figures yet to be published show a hike of about 17%. Whether these increases are justified or not is not the question. Granted that such increases fall within the framework of government policy to adjust prices in various economic sectors to create a balance and foster social justice, what the public is concerned about is whether the union is prepared to take concrete measures to ensure that official transport fares are respected by park-collectors. Past observations clearly show that passengers are made to pay higher fares than the official rates despite empty assurances by union leaders. Before suggesting what measure should be taken to safeguard the interest of the public, this reporter could like to take leave to examine certain claims of improvement in the organisation of road transport made by the president of the union. 8 Although the president of the union acknowledged certain discrepancies in the handling of passenger’s luggage, reckless driving and illegal increases in transport fares, he did not say in what ways the union intends to resolve these discrepancies. The union president mentioned the existence of certain facilities in motor-parks which we have reason to question, such as waiting rooms and storage for baggage. He also cited as one of the union’s achievements, a greater sense of civic responsibility on the part of the park-collectors and bus drivers. Apparently, Mr. Union President has never visited a motor-park, at least, as an ordinary observer, since, as a union executive, he obviously travels 1st class by Cameroon Airlines. This reporter would like to challenge Mr. Union President to roll-up his trousers, take off his executive tie and visit the parks before making claims of a better organisation of road transport. He forgot to mention the continued extortion of arbitrary charges for excess baggage because the longpromised use of scales in motor-parks has never materialized. Mr. Union President informs us that one of the achievements of the union within the past five years is the existence of food-stands in motor-parks, but he did not seem to see any sanitation related problems in these food-stands which are run by independent hawkers who seem not to be bound by any health regulation. He also referred to the filthy shacks erected with metal scraps and cardboard which he calls waiting rooms for passengers as an achievement. Although he stressed that the union has improved on the civic education of its workers, the union president overlooked the shabby treatment of passengers by filthy, rude and uncouth park-collectors who do not hesitate to rough-handle passengers and baggage alike. 9 The union leader may not also be aware that during the rainy seasons when passengers have to push the vehicle through long stretches of mud, women and girls are denied the right to travel, a discrimination based on sex which is against the spirit of our legislation. Looking at the catalogue of so-called achievements, one agrees that the union has a long way to go in terms of building all-weather motor-parks, the respect of the Highway Code, the attitude of union workers towards their travellers and the setting up of more congenial refreshment facilities and public conveniences. First and foremost, the union must set up a mechanism to ensure that passengers’ rights and official transport fares are respected. Most of the immoral activities of the union are perpetuated by the fact that the consumer is helpless and has no forum for seeking redress. This reporter is suggesting the setting up of an independent complaints bureau with an ombudsman appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning since they are a partner to the price fixing mechanism, to ensure that motor-parks operate within the limits of regulations governing their operation. This appears to be the only concrete and surest mechanism to lend...