Keta: Commercial Drivers To Strike Over Fuel Price Increases

Commercial drivers in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have served notice of their intention to strike on the 25th of November, 2021.

A letter communicating their resolve to the Municipal Chief Executive of Keta, Emmanuel Gemegah, explained their decision is informed by the difficulties that continuous increase in fuel prices is causing both drivers and passengers.

“We the Concerned Drivers Union Association, Ghana has noticed or have come to the realization that the increment of fuel prices and spare parts in the country resulting in high (cost) of living has become an issue which is burdensome and gnashing to the drivers,” the driver union wrote.

“Hence the Drivers Union has decided to go on strike on the 25th of November, 2021 and therefore all motorbikes, tricycles, taxis and trotro cars that use fuel for commercial purposes have decided to park their motorbikes, tricycles, taxis and trotro,” the statement said.

It is co-signed by Rev. Nusinyo Anthony Chairman of the group Ghana and Mr. Agbenu Stephen Great, Secretary of the group.

The notice comes in the wake of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) increasing fuel prices for the second time in November alone.

State-owned Ghana Oil (Goil) took the lead by adjusting the price of a litre of diesel and petrol to ¢6.99 from a previous ¢6.90 per liter.

According to GOIL, the upward adjustment is the result of rising crude oil prices on the international market. The price of crude oil is presently going for about $82 on the world market.

It could have even been higher than the 1.47% increment if the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy (PSRL) had not been suspended on fuel prices for the next two months, Goil said.

Even so, a liter of diesel and petrol has gone down by 14 pesewas and 16 pesewas per liter respectively.

Transport operators have lamented the increasing rate of fuel prices this year, saying this could result in the upward adjustment of transport fares.

“We the Union are on our knees pleading with the government to help reduce the price of the fuel for us,” the Concerned Drivers Union Association, Ghana.