The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association (group of commercial drivers) Yaw Barimah has indicated that transport fares will go up 20% on Monday, October 29, 2018. following economic effects of recent fuel prices on drivers.
Speaking on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ political show he explained that the two driver unions have come to this conclusion because of the intermittent fuel increment that has hit the country in recent times. A situation he claims is not helping drivers.’’ Fuel prices have gone up, a gallon of diesel cost GH¢25.15 where do you expect drivers to get money from to continue buying fuel,” he quizzed.
“We use lubricants, brake fluid and buy spare parts prices of these items have also gone up and is making our lives very difficult,’’ he added.
He also attributed the rise of accidents on the roads to the hikes in fuel prices ‘’We can’t repair our cars because everything we earn goes into buying fuel,’’ he lamented.
However, in a related story Francis Annor a member of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) said that the (GPRTU members) have not heard from their leadership but have decided to increase their fares too’’ we have decided to also increase our fares like the smaller drivers’ association are going to do. Some of us even wanted 30-35% increment but because the other groups have decided on 20% we will do same’’ he said.
He indicated that if by Sunday 28th October, 2018. The leadership of GPRTU does not come out with a favourable decision, they will go ahead and implement the 20% increment. ‘’ I drive from Kasoa to Accra every trip I pay GH¢ 1.00 five trips to and from Kasoa will cost GHS 10.00. multiply that by a month and see how much I spend in a month on tolls.’’
He also blamed the inability of drivers to maintain and regularly check their vehicles on exorbitant fuel prices.
However, The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has confirmed that fuel prices have been increased by over 2%; the second time in barely two months. In September 2018, the price of fuel crossed the GH¢5 per litre mark. According to the NPA, the latest price increase was as a result of the hike in the price of finished petroleum products on the international market, despite a fall in the price of crude on the global market. The price of petrol and diesel is currently pegged at GH¢5.21 per litre, up from the previous price of GH¢5.07.
By: Bridget Mensah
