Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado says members of the Coalition of Private Transport Operators are silently withdrawing from the group.
The turn of events is associated with the suspension of a planned sit-down strike on Thursday, November 11, 2021, to demand the removal of some nuisance taxes on petroleum products from the government.
Explaining the current situation within the coalition, he said, “The driver unions united to form the coalition as we wanted taxes on petroleum products to be reduced and even planned to embark on a demonstration. But when it was time for the demonstration, some members of the coalition convinced the rest to pull out. Now the coalition is gradually breaking apart and although no one has officially written letters to withdraw from the group, some unions have stopped attending meetings and participating in the coalition’s activities.”
Unwilling to share which group(s) managed to end the demonstration abruptly, the Concerned Drivers Association has decided to go solo and announced a 40 percent increment in transport fares effective Monday, January 17, 2022.
Speaking to Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, David Agboado cited the high cost of fuel, the unit cost of cars, spare parts, and lubricants as reasons for their decision. “Although we have taken this unilateral decision, our brothers from the other unions will agree we need to increase lorry fares.”
On his accord, the union is tired of chasing the government for the removal of the nuisance taxes on fuel “and this decision will help us earn enough and keep our cars roadworthy.”
The Coalition of Private Road Transport Operators suspended its intended strike following a meeting with the Roads and Transport Ministry.
The coalition of private transport operators consists of 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.
The Unions, on Tuesday, November 09, gave the Government an ultimatum to reduce taxes on fuel, threatening to ground all commercial vehicles by 1500 hours Thursday, November 11, 2021.
The planned strike action was for the government to scrap the taxes, levies, and margins on the price build-up and the incessant increase in the price of fuel, which was collapsing their business.
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