The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has denied media reports that it has reversed its plan to raise transport fares by 60% or more following the passage of the Emission Levy Bill.
Parliament recently passed the Emissions Levy Bill, which imposes a GHC100 annual fee on all potential petrol and diesel car owners beginning in January 2024.
The government’s move aimed to promote the use of environmentally friendly energy sources for vehicle power through the aforementioned tax, which was consistent with its commitment to climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives.
In an official response to these developments, the GPRTU has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to reconsider the Emission Levy Bill.
Speaking with Citi News, the Public Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abbas Imoro, said the purported media reportage that the union has reversed its decision is utterly ‘false’,
“We have not withdrawn the statement we made in connection with the not less than 60% upward adjustment in lorry fares. We never stated on any platform that we have withdrawn the transport fares that we tend to slash on our lorry fares. It is not true; it might be politically motivated talk, so we will condemn that. We will continue to say that we have written to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, of which they went to recess, and they are yet to return.”
“When they resume, we will give them some time to hear from them. If we don’t hear from them, the leadership will put in a reminder or go ahead with whatever decision we have taken. This is what we said; we have not said anywhere that we are withdrawing the statement we made,” he stressed.
