The Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, says it will be unfair for\u00a0Ghanaians to be made to pay increased\u00a0transport fares\u00a0in the wake of the recent increases in the prices of petroleum products triggered by newly introduced taxes.<\/p>\n
The energy sector levies introduced by government triggered about 30 percent increase in the price of petroleum products.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”EtTG3YNUn1IWZ39RzKr9LSkyyuzCWH6i”]Transport operators have since announced a decision to increase fares.\u00a0This is because, per the regulations of the transport operators, any increase in fuel prices beyond 12 percent should warrant a corresponding increase in transport fares.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0\u00a0according to Mr. Hosi,\u00a0\u201cthe exchange rate at the last time when prices were revised upwards using the BoG rate was 4.2810. The same BoG rate, which is the bench mark for these discussions, is at 3.810, meaning the exchange rate itself is lower than it was at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
This he said would make it unfair on the consumers if transport fares are increased.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an employer, when demands, which are unfair in my opinion, are sometimes being made by transporters, it also puts some pressure on us and the cost of living. I think we should all be balanced, all in fairness to the consumer, whom we all claim to serve,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But according to the transport operators, the prices of spare parts have also increases considerably hence their decision to increase fares.<\/p>\n
Government has been condemned for increasing fuel prices at a time when global crude price is at its lowest.<\/p>\n
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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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