The Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) has directed its members to suspend the ongoing strike and resume operations immediately.
A statement signed by GPRTU General Secretary, Godfred Abulbire, stated that the directive comes after the union’s leadership was invited to a meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
“The leadership of the union has been invited to the Presidency during the course of the day. Further developments would be communicated to all members”.
GPRTU
The Union then urged members to return to their regular duties as they begin negotiations with the appropriate authorities.
The nationwide action earlier left many passengers stranded at the various bus stops and lorry stations across the country. The drivers who are part of the Coalition of Commercial Transport Owners withdrew their services, calling for a review of taxes introduced.
The group also outlined five taxes that they said significantly pushed prices up, hence the need for a review. The five taxes and levies are the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy, the Special Petroleum Tax, Energy Sector Levy, Energy Debt Recovery Levy, and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy from the pump price of petroleum products.
Citizens on drivers’ action
Earlier, a section of frustrated passengers shared their experience with The Vaultz News. Akosua Asante, who is a health professional with the Ghana Health Service narrating her ordeal indicated that she had to stop a private car to aid her in commuting to work since there was no car coming.
She urged the drivers to return to work and also asked government to listen to the drivers’ calls for a reduction in taxes to help them in their line of work.
She indicated that the situation will affect work output today, giving an example that, as she got to work it was just a few people at her department who were present.
“Today being Monday, you should get a lot of people at their duty post, however, you can even count the number of people who are present at their post today. How I am going back home, I don’t even know because the one to pick me has also travelled. I might stay over at work if the situation doesn’t change”.
Akosua Asante
Another passenger, Abdul Rahman Fataw, a worker at COPEC who commutes from Ashiaman to Airport called on the drivers to resume work since passengers had a hard time getting to work today. He appealed to the union heads to allow them work since a lot of people depend on their services.
He then urged government to also heed to the call of the drivers because the hike in fuel prices does not only affect drivers but also affect traders who use these services in the country.
“It has already affected many people because they are still trying to get buses to their various places of work. Personally, I think I will be joining my boss home or I will have to order a bolt back if the situation still remains the same”.
Abdul Rahman Fataw
However, some passengers disclosed that they did not experience any problems as activities at their regular routes were still intact.
