Deputy Transport Minister Hassan Tampuli has called on the public to ignore the Concerned Drivers Association’s announcement of a 15 percent fare increase scheduled for November 2.
He explained that fare adjustments rely on factors such as fuel price stability, inflation, and other economic indicators, all of which, he noted, remain steady at present.
In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Tampuli said, “We’ve heard some noises coming from the Drivers’ Union about the threat of an increase in lorry fares. I want to say here, unequivocally, that there’s no basis for any such increase in lorry fares between now and the next six months.
“The leadership are here, and they know what we do, the triggers that would arise in increasing the lorry fares. Nothing of that sort has happened. And indeed, as of this morning, Ghana is one of nine countries that have prices of petrol below one dollar… the prices that we have in Ghana are some of the lowest anywhere in the world,” he said.
Nevertheless, David Agboado, Public Relations Officer for the Concerned Drivers Association, rejected Mr. Tampuli’s comments, asserting that the Transport Ministry has no authority over when transport operators choose to adjust fares.
Agboado contended that rising costs of vehicles, spare parts, and fuel justify the proposed fare increase to ensure the sustainability of their businesses.
“My first question to you to ask Hassan Tampuli for me is, does he exist on this planet Earth called Ghana? The price of a vehicle has increased more than 100%. The price of a lubricant has increased more than 57%. You should go and check the market.
“The price of fuel has increased, so what is he saying? … We are doing business as transporters. We are not doing business as charity-running organisations… We are also charging the 15% starting on the second,” Agboado insisted.
Nevertheless, David Agboado, Public Relations Officer for the Concerned Drivers Association, rejected Mr. Tampuli’s comments, asserting that the Transport Ministry has no authority over when transport operators choose to adjust fares.
Agboado contended that rising costs of vehicles, spare parts, and fuel justify the proposed fare increase to ensure the sustainability of their businesses.
“Did they pass through the process, the procedure we use in coming up with upward adjustments in lorry fares? The answer will definitely be no… We go around, looking for prices of items we use—lubricants, spare parts, vehicle values, etc. And fuel, of course, is inclusive.
“Then after doing all these things, we come to a conclusion of what percentage we have to adjust on the lorry fares. But we don’t just come out and say we are going to increase lorry fares without going through the processes that I’ve just mentioned. So we are urging the general public to disregard their claims,” Mr Abass explained.