A meeting that was scheduled to take place between the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday, April 7, aimed at addressing the rising concerns regarding increasing fuel prices and their effects on the transport sector, did not occur as planned.
As stated by the Union’s Head of Industrial Relations, Alhaji Abass Imoro, the expected meeting with the Transport Ministry was postponed after the sector minister requested more time to consult with Cabinet on the issue.
He mentioned that the Minister has provided them with a deadline of Thursday, April 9, to conduct the meeting.
“We were supposed to meet with the Transport Ministry today (April 7), but the meeting did not occur because the transport minister assured us that the government is keen on organizing a Cabinet meeting, and thus we should allow them until Thursday, which our leadership has agreed to,” he explained during an interview on Tuesday, April 7.
Mr. Imoro indicated that the union’s leadership has consented to give the government until Thursday to finalize its internal discussions and relay a decision.
He emphasized that the GPRTU will decide its subsequent actions based on the results of the Cabinet discussions.
“Whatever decision the government makes by Thursday, we will then determine the way forward,” he added.
This situation arises amidst increasing tension in the transport sector due to surging fuel prices and demands for fare adjustments, with operators closely monitoring the government’s response before making any definitive choices.
VIP Jeoun Transport has also announced a 25% increase in transport fares across its nationwide routes, with the new rates set to take effect from Wednesday, April 8.
However, GPRTU has warned that transport operators will raise fares by a percentage they consider necessary if the Transport Ministry permits VIP Jeoun to proceed with its 25% fare increase.
In an interview on Tuesday, April 7, Abass Imoro stated that such an action would undermine the established norms regarding transport fare adjustments.
