Commercial Drivers Threaten to Increase Transport Fares over 'High' Fuel Prices
The commercial drivers have appealed to the government to reduce fuel prices immediately.
Jonas Danquah 
Some drivers in Ghana have threatened to increase their transports fares from Monday over fuel prices, which they have described as ‘exorbitant’.
The leadership of the National Concerned Drivers Association says if the government refuses to reduce the price of fuel at the pumps immediately, they will have no option but to hike transport fares to reflect fuel costs.
The concerned drivers bemoaned that, the observation of the social distancing protocol in their vehicles is having a huge toll on their earnings.
The Vice-Chairman for the National Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado in an interview on Accra based Citi FM said the government must listen to the appeals especially when there is a sharp decline in the price of crude oil on the international market.
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“Now that the fuel is $19 per barrel, we are buying it at GH¢19.85 pesewas which doesn’t match at all. The government should tell the OMCs to reduce the price at least to GH¢10 per gallon. Dialogue is the first option and that is why we are calling on the Ministry in charge of Transport and Ministry of Energy to sit [and discuss this] or we will increase the fares by Monday,” Mr Agboado said.
Commercial vehicles are expected to reduce the number of passengers they take on board their vehicles in adherence to social distancing protocols amidst the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana.
While some have been seen to be in compliance, others have refused to pay heed, arguing that practising social distancing on their aboard their vehicles will land them in debt.
