The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), is asking government to urgently introduce interventions to cushion the poor who will be adversely affected by the fuel price increment.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a 23 percent increase in the prices of petroleum products which took effect from Monday.
The public was outraged by the huge increment accusing government of being insensitive to their plight considering the existing economic difficulties being experienced in the country.
Government however maintains, the decision is economically sensible as the funds previously used in subsidizing petroleum products will be used to develop other sectors of the economy.
In an interview with Citi News, ISODEC’s Campaign Coordinator, Dr. Steven Manteaw expressed his organization’s disappointment over government decision to remove subsidies on petroleum products.
But he urged government to improve public transportation to lessen the impact of these price hikes.
“One way to cushion workers is to give more access so that they can deal with rising cost especially when the fares are subsidized,” he suggested.
He drew government’s attention to the rising cost of utility prices stating that “when fuel prices go up, invariably, you’d get water and electricity also going up.”
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana