The Coalition of Private Transport Operators rejected the government’s offer of a 10% increase in transport fares, saying it would cause their businesses to collapse.

After an initial proposed 30% increase in rates, the Coalition then reduced the rate to 20%; however, the government offered 10%. As a result, the meeting with the government on Tuesday to deliberate on the adjustment ended without result.

According to the communications officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Abass Imoro, the meeting was postponed because the commercial drivers were unwilling to accept the offer made by the government.

“The government, from day one, offered 10%, which did not suit us. We were trying to convince them to accept it[30becauseourindustryiscollapsingbuttheywereatthesame10%soweaskedforpostponement”[30parcequenotreindustries’effondremaisilsétaientaumême10%doncnousavonsdemandéunreport[30becauseourindustryiscollapsingbuttheywereatthesame10%soweaskedforpostponement”

“They said we should look at the current economic situation in the country; but whose fault is it if we propose this, we will create more difficulties? This is why we opted for the elimination of certain taxes and levies which they did not take into account,” he said.

Abass Imoro added that “if they had listened to us, we would not have offered any upward adjustment…since this did not materialize, we have no choice but to make sure we are working and that we make a living from the work we do.

This follows fears that the prices of petroleum products will see a significant increase today.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a steady increase in the price of fuel at the pump, a situation that many drivers have described as insensitive.

According to the affected drivers, the increases are affecting their profit margins, causing hardship in their individual livelihoods.