The Upper East Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Ayinbisa, has urged the government to engage transport operators in dialogue following renewed demands by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for the removal of fuel taxes.
His comments come after the union raised concerns over rising fuel prices and called for a reduction in petroleum-related taxes, warning of possible action if their concerns are not addressed within 48 hours.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mr. Ayinbisa noted that such demands are not new, explaining that transport unions have historically engaged governments whenever fuel prices rise beyond expected levels. He emphasized that these engagements are typically aimed at reaching a compromise that balances the interests of both government and transport operators.
“This is not the first time they have made a demand. Even when we were in government, they made several demands. Sometimes, when they think that fuel prices are going beyond the limits they expected, they usually seek to meet with the government to have a conversation on how best the organization and government, particularly the Transport Ministry, can reach a common ground and agree on the way forward,” he said.
According to him, the current situation requires careful handling, as failure to reach an agreement could result in transport operators independently adjusting fares, which would directly affect commuters.
“I don’t want GPRTU to get to the position they want to get to because the fear is that when they get there, it means they are going to increase fares arbitrarily. They are the ones who will sit down and decide to increase fares by a certain percentage or amount,” he added.
Mr. Ayinbisa stressed that rising fuel costs have a widespread impact on the economy, influencing multiple sectors and ultimately increasing the cost of living. He therefore called on the government to treat the issue with urgency and engage relevant stakeholders to determine a fair way forward.
“I think it is the responsibility of government to sit down with the GPRTU to negotiate and determine how much of the burden will be passed on to the public,” he said.
He added that addressing fuel price concerns through dialogue would help prevent arbitrary fare hikes and reduce the burden on the general public.
“When we talk about petroleum products, they affect every sphere of the economy. When fuel prices go up, it impacts almost every aspect of economic life. It is therefore important to handle the situation with the necessary seriousness and respect. Otherwise, any increase in fuel prices will have widespread consequences across all sectors,” he concluded.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
