Meeting with operators over transport fares ends inconclusively
An engagement between the coalition of Private Transport Operators and the Government over proposed increment in transport fares has ended inconclusively, the Transport Operators told the Ghana News Agency.
The Executive members of the coalition met Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport in his office on Monday, February, 07, 2022 to deliberate on a proposal by the transport operators to increase transport fares by 30 per cent.
It was the case of the transport operators that the continuous hike in fuel prices coupled with other factors had taken a toll on their businesses, hence the call for an upward adjustment of the fares.
The transport operators and Mr Asiamah were locked in a closed-door meeting for close to three hours Monday evening.
Mr Godfred Abulbire, General Secretary, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), told the Ghana News Agency after the meeting that “we did not reach a consensus.”
He said the negotiations had been rescheduled for Thursday, February 10, 2022.
He said the Coalition, based on a market survey found that the prices of the valuables that affected its operations, including spare parts and lubricants had shot up by at least 35 per cent over the period.
Consequently, he said the Coalition proposed a 30 per cent increment in transport fares during its negotiations with the Minister.
“Last Friday, we sent a copy of the document to the Minister but when we went to the meeting today, he said he did not receive the copy. So we gave him another copy.
“The Minister said he will not object to the margin we have stated in the document but he will have to study it, so we should come back on Thursday by, which time they would have also studied the document and know what percentage they will accept,” Mr Abulbire said.
“We will play safe and cushion our customers so when we come and we think the 30 per cent increment would do more harm, we will all arrive at a better consensus,” he said in response to if the proposed 30 per cent increment could change on Thursday.
The coalition of private transport operators is made up of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), Association of Tipper Truck Drivers, Harbor Transport Owners, Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, Ghana Committed Drivers Association, Concerned Drivers Association, Digital Drivers, Commercial motorbike riders, popularly referred to as Okada, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers among others.
Fuel prices have gone up by at least 50 pesewas per litre at the pumps since February 01, 2022.
Petrol and diesel are currently being sold at an average GH¢7.3 and GHv7.4 per litre respectively.
The hike has been blamed on rising cost of Brent crude on the international market, with some analysts projecting that fuel prices could hit GH¢8.0 per litre by March this year if the situation on the world market progressed.
Source: GNA