Drivers express varied opinions -On government’s promise to adjust fuel price(19/1/09)

Story:Francis Yaw Kyei and Jennifer Dornoo
Some commercial drivers in Accra and members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have expressed divergent opinions on the promise by President J.E.A. Mills to reduce fuel prices, which was made during the 2008 electionerring campaign.
While some called on the government to reduce prices of the commodity, others also called for the maintenance of the current prices even if world market prices go down.
The Vice-Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Robert Sarbah stated that the union as an independent body will welcome any change in the prices of fuel by the government.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Sarbah gave the assurance that the union would also adjust fares accordingly in the event of any fuel price adjustment, to the benefit of the public.
“An increase or decrease in the fuel prices is determined by the world market prices of crude oil and not the government of a country,” he stated.
A commercial driver, Kofi Asante, who plies between Circle and Kasoa, called on the government to further reduce fuel prices as promised adding that “ it will benefit all of us”.
The Secretary of the Kaneshie branch of the GPRTU, Mr Kwabena Amanfo, told the Daily Graphic that, the commercial drivers were at a great loss when the government reduced fuel prices.
“When fuel prices are reduced, prices of spare parts lubricants and other items that keep the vehicle moving do not change, ” he said.
He added that some vehicle owners refused to reduce the daily sales the drivers were to make when there was a reduction in fuel prices thereby causing a loss to drivers.
Mr Amanfo, therefore called on the government to maintain the fuel prices since the reduction would make passengers to agitate for a reduction of fares despite the increasing cost of spare parts and other important items needed to maintain the vehicles.
The Secretary of the Circle Odawna branch of the GPRTU, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, supported the views of Mr Amanfo and said “the government should maintain the current fuel prices even when world market prices go down and use the profits made for other developmental projects”.
He said commercial drivers were being cheated because when fuel prices were reduced, prices of other goods and services including salaries of some workers in the country remained the same adding that “ a slight increase in fuel prices causes a drastic increase in goods and services”.
This, he said, benefited the public, putting the drivers at a loss.
Other commercial drivers the Daily Graphic spoke to also called on the government to fulfil its promise of reducing fuel prices.