The National Organization of Algerian Transporters (ONTA) welcomed the conclusions of the meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport with sector representatives, dedicated in particular to the new road code project and the socio-professional demands of transporters.
Contacted by Le Jeune Indépendant, Hocine Bouraba, president of the ONTA, stated this Saturday that the exchanges helped clarify several ambiguities, particularly regarding the non-final nature of the draft law on the new road code. “It is only a project set to be revised and enriched soon in light of the proposals from professionals,” he emphasized.
On this occasion, the ministry representatives confirmed that the text, although adopted by the National People’s Assembly, has not yet entered into force and is still following the legislative process, including its examination by the Council of the Nation.
The ministry has not closed the door to enriching the text, affirming that the observations and proposals put forward by unions and professional organizations will be taken into consideration before its final promulgation.
In this context, the National Organization of Algerian Transporters sought to clarify its position regarding calls circulating on social networks. Mr. Bouraba formally distanced himself from anonymous pages that, according to him, seek to incite strikes and spread inaccurate information. He insisted that these initiatives do not represent it in any way and do not reflect its official position.
In this regard, Hocine Bouraba called on all transporters to exercise calm, discernment, and a sense of responsibility, urging them to give their organization “the full opportunity to continue dialogue and coordination with the Ministry of Transport,” with the aim of reaching balanced solutions that guarantee both the rights of professionals, the interests of citizens, and the continuity of public service.
Mr. Bouraba announced that the National Organization of Algerian Transporters is holding a meeting of its national bureau today, entirely dedicated to examining the new road code. “We will formulate concrete proposals that we will submit to the competent authorities, in a spirit of responsibility and partnership,” he specified.
The National Organization of Algerian Transporters reiterated its demand for the programming of National Road Safety Assizes. These should, according to it, involve all concerned stakeholders: transporters, institutions, road safety experts, researchers, psychologists, and social science specialists.
For the ONTA, only a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach will sustainably reduce road accidents and improve working conditions for transporters, while ensuring user safety.
Mr. Bouraba took care to recall that the concerns raised today by his organization are not new. He indicated that the ONTA had already alerted on the structural dysfunctions of the sector, denouncing chronic mismanagement of public transport.
Mr. Bouraba called on the public authorities to urgently develop a national transport plan integrating new cities and emerging agglomerations, as well as the establishment of adapted traffic plans in major metropolises.
“To organize the transport sector, a national transport plan and inter-wilaya plans placed under the responsibility of the walis are needed,” he emphasized, while deploring an unbalanced distribution of lines, some experiencing a surplus of transporters while others remain completely unserved. He also regretted the absence, in several major cities, of real traffic schemes.
It should be recalled that, on instructions from the Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport, Mr. Saïd Sayoud, Secretary General of the ministry, chaired a consultation meeting in the presence of the chief of staff and the Director General of Mobility and Logistics. This meeting brought together social partners, represented by the National Organization of Algerian Transporters (ONTA), the Algerian National Union of Transporters (UNAT), the General Union of Algerian Merchants and Craftsmen (UGCAA), the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA), and the National Syndicate of Taxi Drivers and Transporters (SNTT-UGTA), in order to hear their professional concerns.