Commercial drivers give ultimatum

Commercial drivers in the Accra Metropolis have given ultimatum to the authorities that if they did not receive any news on the transport fares review by Thursday, March 30, they would advise themselves.

The fares are being discussed by the Transport Ministry, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to determine the increase or otherwise.

In an interview conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) with some of their leaders at Tema Station, Agege, Madina, Agbogbloshie, Sukura, and Russia in Accra, they complained of high cost of spare parts and fuel which affect their returns.

Mr Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, when contacted, said negotiation for the review of fares was ongoing.

He, therefore, appealed to the drivers to exercise restraints pending the outcome of the negotiation.

Meanwhile the Transport Fares Review Committee at the Ministry of Transport has called for cooperation of all transport operators, commuters and the public on the issue until a solution is found.

A statement signed by both chairmen of the GPRTU and the GRTCC, Mr Kwame Kuma and Mr Ben Peprah-Amoabeng on the transport fare review, urged operators to maintain the current fares until further notice.    

“This will enable other components that go into the running of commercial road transport services to be taken into consideration,” it said.    

The statement said it had been agreed that all stakeholders met on Thursday, March 30, by which time any decision agreed upon would be communicated to all transport operators and the public.

Source: GNA