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A group called Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C- DAG) has announced a 40% increment in the payment of transport fares effective Monday, January 17, 2022.
According to the group, the scheduled increment even though cannot bring an ultimate comfort to them as drivers however; it can only ameliorate the unbearable hardships confronting drivers.
In a January 10, 2022 statement, C-DAG stated that the proposed upward adjustment is inspired by a number of factors which include price of fuel commodities at the pumps of the various Oil Marketing Companies.
The statement read as follows, “Ghanaians agree with us that, fuel commodities have seen a consistent upward increment and will even soon see another increment as predicted by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC). It’ll be recalled that a little over a month ago, drivers nationwide embarked on a sit down strike which negatively affected commuters. Even though the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare on behalf of government met with driver unions and promised a reduction of the prices of petrol but unfortunately that promise has not materialised. We are rather witnessing a consistent increment. Sadly, the government has blatantly refused to wave of the tax components on the petrol prices even.
The association also cited high price of vehicles as well as vehicle spare parts and lubricants.
“The prices of spare parts have also witnessed an upward increment. Coupled with poor roads in the country, drivers are heavily burdened as we have to rapidly change vehicle parts. Our partners, mechanics who replace these parts have also increased their service charges. Essential engine parts and lubricants have also had their prices increased. For instance a 4 and half litre engine lubricant which used to sell at GHC 65 is now sold to us at GHC 110”, said C-DAG.
C-DAG also noted that, “we commiserate with Ghanaians on the current economic hardship but in order to keep us in business we are left with no other option but to adjust transport fares a little upward which is a 40% increment”.
While urging Ghanaians to side with them when the increment of transport fares take
effect from Monday, January 17, 2022, the Concerned Drivers cautioned Ghanaians to avoid fighting drivers and their conductors when the new fares are implemented.
