Leadership of the Commercial Transport Unions will meet today, January 24, 2022, to deliberate on adjustments in transport fares.
Head of Communications, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Abass Imoro, in an interview said the meeting has been necessitated by the hikes in fuel prices and government’s failure to scrap some taxes on petroleum products.
He said the hikes in fuel prices have taken a toll on their business, adding that, the meeting will enable transport operators to take a collective decision on the way forward.
The outcome of the meeting Mr Imoro said will be forwarded to the Ministry of Transport for action. The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana has shelved its plans to increase transport fares by 40 per cent as earlier announced.
The proposed increment did not get the backing of the other commercial transport unions, with the GPRTU dissociating itself from the move. The intended increment, the Concerned Drivers said, was necessitated by the rising cost of fuel, spare parts, and lubricants, increment in cost of vehicles, and high cost of living.
The Coalition of Private Road Transport Operators, last month, also embarked on a nationwide strike to express their displeasure over high fuel prices, which they said, was badly affecting their operations. They demanded that the Government scrap some taxes on petroleum products.
Mr Imoro said one month after the industrial action, the situation has not changed. He said the Government assured drivers of reduction in fuel prices, but that has not happened.