The country’s oil company will on Tuesday reduce the price of petrol across at all their various points of sale following a demonstration by drivers
The Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Transport Kennedy Osei Nyarko has revealed that GOIL is expected to reduce fuel prices by 15 pesewas per litre.
According to Osei Nyarko, the decision was taken by government following the demands of commercial drivers who embarked on a sit-down strike over hikes in fuel prices across the country on Monday.
A litre of fuel which is sold at GHS6.85 is expected to be reviewed downwards to GHS6.70 effective December 7, 2021.
Speaking on PM Express Monday, Mr Nyarko was hopeful that the move will force other Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to also reduce their prices.
“I will not be surprised they [GOIL] will be taking about 15 pesewas per litre each off the products. That’s the information that I’m getting. I will not be surprised it will drop to about GHS6.70 tomorrow morning,” he said.
Government’s directive follows a marathon meeting with the transport operators at the Presidency which lasted for about 4 hours.
The Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union (GPRTU) wants the government to scrap some taxes on petroleum products in order for fuel prices to be reduced at the pumps.
The appeal to scrap the taxes on petroleum products is estimated to reduce fuel prices by 25.44 percentage points; bearing in mind that fuel prices, between January and December 2021, have witnessed an astronomical rise of 39.92 percent.
Their demands appeared not to have been satisfied in the 2022 Budget currently under consideration in Parliament.
The agitated drivers went on to lay down their tools, leaving many commuters who use public transport to and from their various destinations stranded.
After failed attempts to secure a vehicle, some commuters say they were left with no other alternative than to stay off work.
In a move to quell the situation, the transport operators suspended their industrial action at the behest of the government in order for a negotiation to take place.
The GPRTU spokesperson, Abass Imoro also revealed to Evans Mensah that the government promised to remove some petroleum taxes in the 2022 mid-year budget.
These outcomes from the meeting the Unions have welcomed and appealed to the government to keep to its end of the bargain to bring relief to both commercial drivers and commuters.
-Joy