The coalition of private transport operators have threatened to embark on a strike action if government does not reduce taxes on fuel.

The group has given the government a three day ultimatum to grant their request or face the wrath of their members. The strike action is to commence at 3pm on Thursday, November 11, 2021.

The coalition made their demand during a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 to express their frustrations caused by the effect of the high taxes on fuel.

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.

Pump prices

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the General Secretary of the GPRTU, Mr Godfred Abulbire, said there had been an unending surge in the pump prices of petroleum products in Ghana in recent months.

He said taxes, levies and margins on petroleum products were the main causes of the continuous rise in the prices of fuel.

“These taxes, levies and margins sum up to Gh¢2.43 per litre of petrol and Gh¢ 2.41 per litre of diesel,” he said.

He said the year began with a fuel price of Ghc4.950 per litre for either diesel or petrol but as at the first week of November 2021 it was Gh¢6.90 representing about 35.04 per cent cumulative increment.

Mr Abulbire said the price per gallon of petrol or diesel had increased from Gh¢22.28 in January 2021 to Gh¢31.05 in November 2021, representing Gh¢8.77 increment.

PHOTO: Nana Nimako Bresiamah, National Chairman, GPRTU, speaking at the press conference. On his left is Mr Godfred Abulbire, General Secretary, GPRTU. Picture by Maxwell Ocloo

Effect

The General Secretary of the GPRTU pointed out that the brunt of the high taxes on fuel were being borne by commercial transport operators.

He was of the view that the recent increment in fuel prices does not correspond to the increment in transport fares“ as although fuel prices have increased by 39.39 per cent between January and November, transport fares have only increased by 13 per cent effective June 2, 2021.”

He added that the surges in fuel prices do not promote the income and welfare of personnel in the commercial transport business.

“Therefore, we call on government to scrap the taxes, levies and margins on the price build-up. We make this appeal because the commercial transport operator and vehicle users in general cannot continue to pay for debt caused by government appointees in the energy sector,” he said.

The National President for Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, Mr Mohammed Tango said their members resolved to make the strike an effective one by parking their vehicles from 3pm on November 11, 2021.