Members of the coalition of private transport operators are meeting today Friday November 19 to take a decision on the 2022 budget and economic policy of the government presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The operators say the meeting will consider three actions; “to submit another petition to the Minister of Transport, to go on strike or to increase transport fares”.
The coalition of private transport operators consists of Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), Association of Tipper Truck Drivers, Harbor Transport Owners, Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, Ghana Committed Drivers Association, Concerned Drivers Association, Digital Drivers, Commercial motorbike riders, popularly referred to as Okada, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, among others.
They had earlier threatened to strike if the government did not reduce taxes on fuel.
The group had given the government a three day ultimatum to grant their request or face the wrath of their members, an action which should have commence at 3pm on Thursday, November 11, 2021, but the Transport Minister reportedly intervened and requested them to submit their concerns to the Ministry to be factored into the budget.
But the operators explained that their concerns, especially the reduction of the taxes on petroleum products, was not taken into consideration, therefore the meeting today to take a decision on the aforementioned three areas.
The Spokesperson of the coalition, Godfred Abulbire Adogma, in an interview with 3FM’s Sunrise hosted by Alfred Ocansey on Friday explained that “the government decided to select areas that will benefit the government”.
“We are meeting today and if the government refuses to listen to us, we shall embark on strike”.
Mr. Abulbire Adogma, who is also the General Secretary of the GPRTU said all the members are meeting today to consider transport fares increase or strike.
“When we met the Transport Minister, he said we should present our issues to them in writing and we did but they were not factored into the budget”.
Closure of toll booths
The General Secretary said the idea of the closure of the toll booth was their idea but that alone would not solve their challenges.
“The idea of removal of tolls came from us but the roads minister rushed. We will strike, increase transport fares or petition the transport minister”.
-By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|3news|Ghana
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