Coalition of Commercial Transport Operators, a group made up of some driver unions have threatened to embark on a strike action on Thursday to express their displeasure over the continuous fuel price hike.
According to them, government should scrap more taxes and levies on petroleum products as failure on the part of government to comply with their demand will result in the expressing their displeasure.
The Coalition is made up of the Ghana Private and Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Ghana Committed Driver’s Association, Tipper Truck Association of Ghana, Joint Association of Port Transport Union (JAPTU), Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, Okada operators, Concerned Driver’s Association of Ghana, Online commercial drivers, PROTOA among others.
Addressing a press conference organized by the Coalition and addressed by the General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbir stressed further that failure in the side of government to consider their grievances and remove the taxes and levies they term as “Nuisance” they would take further action which would not be pleasant to the ordinary Ghanaians and passengers though there’s no intention to adjust transport fares upward.
He was of the view that introduction of some taxes and levies on petroleum products has caused the drastic hike in fuel prices and other petroleum products making it unbearable for them to work in an enjoyable environment and conditions, adding that “Our workers in the commercial industry are suffering due to the consistent hikes in fuel and therefore if care is not taken most of the drivers and operators would quit and industry would collapse as well.
“We came into conclusion that there would be no upward adjustments in lorry fares since it will cause a lot of suffering to the ordinary Ghanaian and passengers who patronize the commercial transport and so, that’s why we are calling on the government to scrap the taxes totally to reduce the hike on fuel as well.”
He therefore called on the President, Finance and Transport Ministers to pay heed to their concerns and address them by scrapping the taxes and levies to reduce fuel price and as well reduce the burden on drivers and transport operators in the country.
The Executive Chairman of COPEC, Duncan Amoah also urged the coalition not to desist from their demand but rather form a strong united front to ensure government heed to their demand and scrap the taxes and levies on petroleum products.
By Vincent Kubi