The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has supported commercial drivers to increase transport fares but appealed to them to be considerate.
COPEC said the decision by the drivers was justified; however, the 30 percent increase was too excessive.
Director of Research at COPEC, Paul Ofori, stated on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM that fuel prices have risen, and that the various oil marketing companies have raised their prices, on which the government has no say due to Ghana’s deregulated economy.
He said it is therefore not proper for the government to impose its directive on drivers on how they determine their prices.
He also attributed the increase in fuel prices to trends on the international market, the depreciation of the cedis against the dollar, taxes, and levies.
He said the Transport Ministry has no basis in law to determine transport fares.
He explained that the ministry has no authority because of the deregulated market we have in Ghana, where the cost of a fare is passed on and not regulated by the government.
He said the 30% increase was excessive and requested that they consider hiking rates by 10% or no more than 20%.
“They [drivers] have every right to increase transportation fares. If the OMCs can increase their prices, what prevents the drivers from doing the same? The increment in transport fares is justified, and so we agree with the commercial drivers. However, we are appealing to them to reconsider the 30 percent. The 30 percent is extreme. We want to appeal to them to reduce it. They should consider and increase it by either 10 to 15 percent or 20 percent maximum.”
By:Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
