Transport officials say such measures are taking their normal procedures of implementation.

At a time when many people decry the insecurity experienced while using commercial vehicles in the country, sources at the Ministry of Transport say security measures put in place to ensure safety of the population while using public vehicles especially taxis are taking their normal course to become effective by the end of this year. Some of such is the GPS system which, when installed, will be used to locate the position of any vehicle (taxi) whether in circulation or packed somewhere.

Talking about the vehicle tracking system (GPS) announced some months back by the Ministry of Transport, the Sub-Director of Land Transport at the Ministry of Transport, Zacharie Ngoumbe said it is a system that is taking its normal procedure to be put in place. While explaining that the system needs to be built and the required equipment bought, Zacharie Ngoumbe added that the ministry has identified the company charged with constructing the control centre and fabrication of the equipment. When everything will be set, the transport official says the centre will be handed to the competent department of the police force which will carry out the daily duty of tracking vehicles particularly taxis involved in robbery or other problems.

Zacharie Ngoumbe however noted that the major role of this ministry is to ensure that roads are safe for all users. But the ministry has however taken steps to accompany those charged with ensuring the general security of the population. Besides carrying out campaigns to sensitise the population to be watchful and careful when using taxis, Zacharie Ngoumbe said the Ministry of Transport had taken measures to make sure that those driving commercial vehicles are identified through a professional badge that carries their personal information and a passport photograph. However, some taxi men do not respect the use of a professional badge and even when some of them do; they use the badge of somebody which makes matters worse when they are involved in an accident case or criminal matter.