The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Dr Patrick Ofori, has endorsed appeals from transport operators requesting fare modifications in response to escalating fuel costs, while simultaneously calling upon drivers to demonstrate restraint and equitable pricing practices toward passengers.
He recognized the considerable efforts undertaken by commercial transport operators in absorbing previous fuel price increases without implementing corresponding fare adjustments.
During an interview conducted on Tuesday, September 15, Dr Ofori stated, “They are justifiably right to push for that because of all the people who have also sacrificed a lot for us in this recent time; it has been the transport drivers’ union.”Daily news digest
Nevertheless, he cautioned drivers against exploiting the circumstances to impose excessive charges on passengers, emphasizing that any fare modification should be governed by fairness and responsible business conduct.
Dr Ofori explicitly cautioned against drivers levying multiple fares for separate segments of a single journey, asserting that such conduct would impose disproportionate costs on travelers.
“Not because there is this opportunity for them to do that, they shouldn’t do something that is beyond reason. They should also be rational and ethical.”
He encouraged transport unions to guarantee their members maintain transparency with passengers and refrain from utilizing fuel price increases as justification for indiscriminate fare increases.
In his assessment, all relevant parties must exercise restraint and demonstrate consideration for the broader economic hardships confronting the population, particularly given that transportation expenses are already straining household finances.
His remarks come subsequent to projections issued by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) indicating a 9.63% increase in petrol prices and a 6.97% increase in diesel prices commencing Wednesday, September 16.
COMAC has additionally projected a 3.22% increase in LPG prices during the second pricing window of September, attributing these increases to rising global crude oil and refined petroleum product prices.
