Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister for Transport, has disclosed that engagements are underway to ensure that transport operators reduce transport fares.
The minister assured the lawmaking house (parliament) that government will soon pressure transport operators in the country to reduce transport fares, following the reduction in the prices of petroleum products.
The prices of petroleum products have seen a major drop at various pumps and are expected to further reduce by the start of the second pricing window on Friday, December 16, as the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has projected. The new prices are expected to reduce to about GH¢13 and GH¢16 per litre for petrol and diesel, whilst Liquefied Petroleum Gas will be sold for about GH¢12 per kilogram.
Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah’s comment comes after concerns were raised by Hon Frank Annoh Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, regarding transport unions’ refusal to reduce fares despite the continuous drop in prices of fuel.
The Member of Parliament, who was speaking during the approval of the budget estimate for the Transport Ministry, advised the minister to take action.
“We’ve often lamented about the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel in this country. And Mr Speaker I must commend the government that recent times, we read and receive consistent reduction in the ex-pump prices of these products and it’s gratifying that the dollar is also struggling to contain the strength of the cedi. These are all good times.
“However, I am not too happy when the ex-pump prices of these products are going back and yet transport operators don’t pay heed to this consistent reduction in the price of these products. I think going forward we must have an arrangement to deal with this concern. Ghanaian people are speaking to this and I think it’s a big concern for all of us.”
Frank Annor Dompreh
Commercial drivers, following the reduction in fuel prices have been asked to reduce their fares after increasing them by almost 40-50 percent since the beginning of the year.
According to the Transport Minister, his ministry has gone through the processes, and assured the Majority chief Whip that definitely, transport operators will do something about the fares. “I think that in times of difficulties they’ve been with us and I am sure that they will not disappoint us this time,” he noted.
Transport Unions To Meet Transport Minister Today
Meanwhile, Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah will today December 15, meet with private transport operators to push for a reduction in transport fares.
The meeting had become necessary amid persistent calls from the public including members of parliament, for a decrement in transport fares following “significant” decline in fuel prices in the last few days.
At the moment, petrol and diesel are sellling at an average of GHS15.16 and GHS18.78 respectively. This has sparked public outcry as citizens continue to demand a reduction in transport fares to correspond with the decline in fuel prices.
Transports operators have also refused to reduce transport fares, claiming that prices of other variables, including spare parts and lubricants have not decreased.
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