Government’s refusal to revise the Emission Level Bill which takes off this year will force the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to upwardly adjust transport fares, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Union, Abass Imoro, has reiterated.
According to the group, it is determined to increase lorry fares by not less than 60% if its petition to Parliament to reconsider the levy is not adhered to.
The passage of the Bill by Parliament last year imposes an annual fee of GHC100.00 on owners of petrol and diesel vehicles starting January 2024.
It reemphasises the government’s commitment to promote environmentally friendly sources of energy for vehicles through this tax, in order to propel climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives.
This is part of Ghana’s contribution towards the climate change campaign.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Imoro indicated that the union is already bearing so much taxes including an emission component from the fuel they purchase. He, has, therefore, implored the government to relook at the Bill before things get out of hand.
“We are already paying for the emission, 10 pesewas for a litre. So you can imagine 10 pesewas by 4.5 for a gallon by several gallons you use a day times 26 working days in a month. You can imagine how much one driver pays for it. And we pleaded with parliament that they should have a second look at it.
“But we did indicate that if nothing is being done or nothing can be done about it, then of course we have other problems as well. We will package ourselves and come out with an upward adjustment of lorry fares not less than 60%,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.
READ ALSO: GPRTU, taxi drivers hail Bawumia as ‘Tap and Go’ taxi app launched
