Commuters could expect another increase in transportation charges, according to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
It comes after a large hike in fuel prices by several Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) yesterday, with up to a 30% increase at the pump.
According to the Head of the Union’s Communications, Abass Imoro, “if nothing is being done about this also, then next week of course we have to adjust lorry fares.”
“We did mention in the last upward adjustment with the public that should the 10% threshold keep on its peak, we shall definitely come out with another upward adjustment in lorry fare,” he said in an interview on PM Express, Wednesday.
When gasoline costs increased by a total of 10%, the government had an agreement with commercial transportation operators that they might raise transportation fares.
Following the recent increases in fuel costs, Abass Imoro claims that the company’s officials are considering making another upward adjustment to the existing fares.
After weeks of negotiations with several unions and the government, the transportation operators increased fares by 15% on Saturday, February 26.
They had originally wanted a 30% raise, but after a meeting with the government on Monday, February 21, that was reduced to 15%.
Meanwhile, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, the Deputy Energy Minister, has stated that the government has put in place preparations to address the issues affecting fuel price spikes.
“This is not really with crude but with products on a metric tonne basis. You’re actually breaking the pair and likely breaking 11 as well, subject to which product and how the OMCs want to add some margins on their current prices.
“What you see from the OMCs publication is quite reflective of what the market situation is and I think a big chunk of it has to do with some of the onset increase around our current cedi issues,” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline
