Alliance Drivers Union and other Drivers Unions have threaten 20% increment of transport fare following the Energy Sector Levy imposed on fuel by the government.
According to them, the government autonomously forced the unions to reduce transport fares to correspond with the fuel reduction.
Speaking to the Public Relations Officer for Alliance Drivers Union, Mr. Kwaku Boateng explained to the media that, the government reduced price of fuel by 4% whiles forcing the Drivers Unions to reduce fares by 15% despite prices of goods and products still remaining as it is. He remarked that, the government has neglected their sacrifices rather imposing GHc1.00 levy on fuel which is unfair on their side.
“This is unfair on our side. The government wasn’t fair with us. You forced us to reduce transport fare but yet still you impose another tax on fuel. This is a cheat. You reduced fuel prices by 4% and forced us to reduce fair by 15%, with this we will increase the fare again by 20%.”
He added that, the government failed to involved stakeholders in a dialogue to suggest ideas to restructure debt in the sector without incurring burden on the people.
Furthermore, he reiterated that, prices of fuel pumps have been increased since the proposed levy was introduced. He called on government appointees to answer questions pertaining to causes of the sector debt.
He therefore proposed that, government should have spread the taxes on goods and products rather than milking the drivers. He also suggested there must be a lifestyle audit with the appointees to cut down expenditure in order to settle huge debts.
