The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has denied claims by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) that it has suspended its proposed 30% increase in transport fares.
The union said its recent meeting with the Ministry of Transport did not end with any final agreement. According to the GPRTU, both sides are expected to meet again to continue discussions and renegotiate the proposed fare increase.
The GPRTU had earlier proposed a 30% increase in transport fares, citing rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of vehicle spare parts.
During his interview, Samuel Amoah, said no final decision had been made. He explained that the union will meet the Ministry of Transport again on September 22 to continue the discussions.
“There has never been any agreement with the government that we are suspending our proposed increment. The last meeting we had with the minister was last Friday and that we were still negotiating the 30 percent increase but there wasn’t any conclusion so prior to that we were asked to postpone the meeting to Tuesday, September 22.
“There has never been any agreement that says we are not going to increase fares.”
Mr Amoah also said GPRTU members have been instructed not to join the sit-down strike announced by the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA).
The planned strike, which begins today, is over the rising cost of vehicle maintenance.
The GPRTU says it will make a final decision on the proposed fare increase after its next meeting with the Ministry of Transport.
