Reduce fuel prices or we increase fares – Drivers to Govt

The National Concern Drivers Association of Ghana, has asked the government to reduce fuel prices following the fall of prices of crude oil on the international market.

The drivers said they will be forced to increase transport fares if the fuel prices are not reduced immediately

Currently, oil is trading at -$15 on the international market which is about the lowest in several decades.

Following this, several Ghanaians expect the prices to drop at the local pumps.

A statement signed by National Chairman of the Drivers Association, Paa Willie, said : “ We the National Concern Drivers Association would like to commend the President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government for their tremendous effort in fighting the Corona virus. As an Association We pledge our support to the President directives of reducing the number of passengers in our Trotro and taxi.

“This will aimed at ensuring the precautionary directives to ensure social distancing our public transports. We the National Concern Drivers Association of Ghana are calling on the government to as a matter of urgency reduce pump prices of fuel.

“We have notice the declining prices of crude oil on the international market which should have led to a significant drop in the pump prices of fuel by now. We calling on the President to ensure an immediate and drastic reduction fuel prices at the pump.

“We have notice that, the government do not drivers at heart and unconcern when it comes to matters of improving the lives of drivers. We giving government up the end of this week, thus from now to 27th of April to reduce fuel prices or we will increase our fares.

“Secondly, We calling on the mute leadership of our mother association , the GPRTU to also discuss with our car owners to reduce the sales for us so me can maintain the reduced number of passengers as the President directives states. We asking all drivers to frequently wash their hands with soap under running, every driver must get an original hand sanitizers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) has noted that pump prices are very unlikely to see any reductions as is being expected by a cross section of the Ghanaian public following the drop in oil prices.

COPEC in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Duncan Amoah said : “Yes, it is indeed true that oil prices especially the WTI platform Is currently trading at -$15 which is about the lowest in several decades.

“Brent however is still trading around $26 as at close of day and as such pump prices are very unlikely to see any reductions as is being expected by a cross section of the Ghanaian public.

“The disparity in the two benchmarks is largely due to a supposed unavailability of storage space across the US market with some traders allegedly paying for cargo to be returned before the close of the futures market for the month of April on 22/04/20.

“This pricing collapse is largely reflected on crude and has very little direct impact on processed or refined products and by extension local pump prices.”