The various driver unions in the country have expressed their disappointment over the 2022 budget for failing to mention plans by the government to reduce taxes on petroleum product.
According to the unions, a week before the budget presentation, the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) appealed to government to reduce taxes on petroleum products and they were assured that the budget would bring that relief.
The GPRTU at a press conference told the government that, the union is not ready to increase transport fares and for that matter the government should act quickly and reduce some taxes on fuel.
“We were therefore disappointed not to hear a single mention of the 2022 budget making reference of scraping taxes on some petroleum products,” they stated.
Speaking to the Republic Press, the First Trustee of Accra Neoplan No. 4 branch of GPRTU, Mr. John Tetteh said the high cost of fuel is gradually killing the business but was surprise after making an appeal to the government for reduction, nothing was heard during the budget reading.
“What it is now is that the government has pushed us to the wall and they want us to strike before they will take us serious. We are pleading with the President to come out with other strategy to ensure that taxes on petroleum products are scrapped,” he stated.
On road tolls
Mr. Tetteh said even though scrapping the road toll is good that alone cannot help reduce prices of fuel because now the transport business is going digital and people have to send money through Momo to purchase ticket so the e-levy is going to affect their businesses directly.
“We were missing in the budget like salt mixing in a soup and we are calling on the government to do something about the fuel price,” the 1st Trustee stated.
He opined that the hardship in the country have prevented lot of people from travelling, the various lorry stations are empty all because of the high transport fares.
Christmas
Mr. Tetteh advised all drivers to exercise patience and ensure that they transport passengers to their destination safely to avoid any road cranages in these festive seasons and called on them to always show professionalism in all their work to attract more passengers to their various unions.
IGP visit
He used the occasion to congratulate the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare for making time on Wednesday November 17 to visit the Accra Neoplan Station branch of the GPRTU to brainstorm how the two parties can operate smoothly to ensure safety on our roads.
