The coalition of private transport operators has threatened to embark on a strike action if the 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.
“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 of the first week of November 2021 it was Gh¢6.90 representing about 35.04 percent 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.
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.