Armed policemen had to rush to the Asafo Market area in Kumasi yesterday morning to prevent a possible bloodbath between two transport operators – Intercity STC and VIP Bus Company Ltd.
Intercity STC, which originally operates at Adum in Kumasi, was about to officially open its new transport yard at the Asafo Market area, but it was vehemently opposed by the VIP Bus Company officials.
The VIP officials argued that if they allowed Intercity STC to operate at Asafo Market, definitely their (VIP) business would collapse and so they would not sit aloof for the STC to destroy their business.
Road Blocked
Angry-looking VIP drivers then blocked all available routes at the Asafo Market area with their metallic red huge buses, which prevented two fully-loaded Accra-bound Intercity STC buses, from moving.
The STC drivers tried to move, but they could not go beyond where the VIP buses had been parked.
Tension then started to mount at the place, as officials of the two companies openly engaged in verbal exchanges.
The VIP Bus drivers and their conductors were even seen singing war songs and issuing threats.
They stated that blood would flow if the Intercity STC starts to operate at the Asafo Market.
Massive Traffic
The blockage of the road caused massive vehicular traffic at Asafo and the nearby areas, as frustrated drivers were stuck on the road. No vehicle in the area could move.
Some of the passengers, including those on board the two Intercity STC buses, looked dejected as they sat in the vehicles for hours.
Police Intervention
Sensing danger, the Ashanti Regional police quickly sent armed policemen to the Asafo Market and the timely arrival of the armed-to-the-teeth security agents paid off.
The policemen displayed professionalism as they ignored provocations by the angry drivers and managed to calm down the two feuding transport companies to ensure law and order at the place.
Minister, Mayor Calm Tempers
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and his deputy, Elizabeth Agyeman, as well as the Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, rushed to the place to talk to the feuding drivers to ensure peace.
The minister and the mayor eventually managed to convince Intercity STC and VIP officials to soften their stance.
They particularly urged the VIP operators to move their buses from the road so that the two STC buses that were ready to start their journeys could move, and they obliged.
Tuesday Meeting
Mr Simon Osei Mensah scheduled a meeting between Intercity STC and VIP officials at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Kumasi at 10 am on Tuesday to help resolve the impasse amicably.
Mr Osei Assibey, on his part, urged the two feuding entities to stay calm and respect the laws of the land.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi