By Nathaniel Nartey
Facebook: Nathaniel Nartey
Twitter: @Annertey_Nartey
Stakeholders in the Petroleum and Transport industry have called for some levies to be scrapped, following another increase in fuel prices at the pumps this morning. These include the Price Stabilization and Recovery and the Tema Oil Refinery, TOR Recovery Levies. General Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, GPRTU of TUC, Godfred Abulbire, in a reaction called for calm, saying transport fares will go up but not immediately. He said the GPRTU has requested a meeting with the Transport Ministry to consider the way forward.
“Everybody should stay calm, there should not be any panic. Everyone is aware of the current situation in Ghana so we don’t want people to think that once increment of fuel comes on today, then on the third or fourth day then transport fares will also be increased, no. We want a system everyone can understand and appreciate before it is rolled out”.
The Public Relations Officer for the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, is pushing for a 20 % increase in fares to take effect this week.
“We are telling the government that from today October 18 till next Monday, if transport fares are increased by 20% they shouldn’t blame the drivers, they should put it at the doorsteps of the government. 20% is not too much and it is justified. Passengers can afford it because we the drivers are buying fuel at the prices that keep increasing”, he lamented.
Meanwhile Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, Duncan Amoah has described the 28 pesewas increase in fuel prices as huge and could lead to an increase in transport fares by at least 15 %.
“If anybody tells you in petroleum number 28 pesewas not significant you tell them to go back to the drawing board and do the math. Even 1 pesewa is very significant. For every 2 gallons which consist of 9 liters you are paying an additional GHC 2.80. If you buy 10 gallons that another GHC 25 to GHC 28 added so imagine the buses that use the Accra-Kumasi road every day”, Mr. Amoah questioned.
