GPRTU continues call for removal of taxes on petroleum products

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has continued its call for the government to remove “nuisance” taxes on petroleum products.

Alhaji Nuhu Mahama, the Upper West Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the GPRTU told Info Radio yesterday, June 21, 2022 during its Ti Zine Yiri Yele show, that the many taxes charged on the products have caused the sporadic hikes in their prices.

He said the price hikes have compelled vehicle operators to increase transport fares.

This has come the after the GPRTU is negotiating an increase in car fares following the accentuating fuel prices.

He noted that the taxes on fuel coupled with other vehicle operational ancillaries like spare parts are the major contributory factors necessitating an increase in transport fares.

Alhaji Mahama said even in the face of the soaring fares, vehicle operators especially the GPRTU humanly look into people’s faces and charge lower prices.

“There are many times we just have to allow people into our vehicles even when they cannot pay the stipulated charges…..but you see, they do not have it”, he said.

He said this affects their gains and in turn, the performance of their parental duties as they go home with little or no money.

Alhaji Mahama could not fathom why citizens of oil-producing Ghana would suffer astronomically increasing and unbearable fuel prices.

He further questioned why neighbouring countries like Burkina and Togo who are less-endowed than Ghana in terms of natural resources would have lower prices of their petroleum products and Ghana have higher prices.

The GPRTU is expected to meet government [Transport Ministry] later today, June 22, 2022 to discuss a possible increase in car fares or a reduction in fuel prices.

Transport fares went up by 20 percent in May. As of May 9, 2022, when the new fares took effect, petrol and diesel were selling at a national average of GH¢9.41 and GH¢11.12, respectively.

The price of petrol has gone up by about 10 percent to sell at an average GH¢10.95 per litre while diesel is trading at an average GH¢13.50 per litre, representing about 14 percent increment in the Second Pricing Window in June 2022.