Scrap nuisance taxes on fuel or face the consequences – Commercial transport operators to Gov’t
By Eric Nii Sackey
Coalition of Commercial Transport Operators have given government 6-days ultimatum ( i.e Monday 8th of November, 2021) to scrap the taxes and levies which they term as “nuisance” on petroleum products in order to reduce the fuel prices at the pump or they would advice themselves.
In crunch meeting among transport operators which includes the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU), Concern Driver’s Association of Ghana, Ghana National Cargo Transport Association and Ghana Committed Driver’s Association concluded that government should take the necessary steps to scrap some levies and reduce the energy levies as well.
According to the National Head of Communication who spoke on behalf of the coalition, Alhaji Imoro Abass explained that since the introduction of the taxes on petroleum products by government, it has seriously affected commercial transport operators, making it impossible to operate the business positively.
“the introduction of the levies on petroleum has drastic caused the increment of fuel at the pump which automatically is negatively affecting and worsening the burden of transport operators and drivers in the country”, he said.
The transport operators have appealed to government to scrap some of the new levies and taxes such as the Price Stabilization and Recovery levy, Fuel Marking Margin levy, Special Margin levy, Bost Margin levy and the Prime Distribution Margin levy put on petroleum products and reduce the energy sector, energy debt recovery and fund levy to 30 pesewas per litre.
Alhaji Abass further noted that, if government failed to scrap the above mentioned levies on petroleum products, then the transport operators have no choice than to take the next line of action to relieve them of the burden, adding, ” our next line action would come up if our plight are not adhered to by government.”
But the Coalition also stressed that, per the present economic hardship in the country, the transport operators have no intention to increase transport fares as it would add more burden to the ordinary Ghanaian, stating that, the failure on the side of government to heed to our advice and plea would negatively affect transport fares and would increase the burden and suffering of Ghanaians.
” the transport operators have no intention to announce any upward adjustment in transport fares to add more suffering unto the already over burden Ghanaians but if care is not taken our business will collapse, so if government failed to address the issue, the coalition will take a decision”, Mr. Abass stated.
The GPRTU National Communication Officer again appealed to drivers to be patient and calm as the Coalition takes steps to address the drastic fuel increment issue with government.
He also advised Ghanaians, CSOs and other agencies in the petroleum industry to support the transport operators on this issue and urge government to scrap the levies and taxes on petroleum products to allow a drop in fuel prices in order to stop the unexpected.
Meanwhile, the government announced the removal of the price stabilization and recovery levy on petroleum products for two months effectively from 1st November to serve a relief to Ghanaians and transport operators which has not yet taken effect but the transport operators says “that is inadequate and cannot lessen the burden of Ghanaians until all the levies are totally scrapped.”
Present at the meeting were;
Alhaji Imoro Abass- National Communication Office at GPRTU- 0275595027
Mohammed Tanko- National President, Ghana National Cargo Transport Assoc.- 0244841031
Mr Charlse Danso- Chairman, Ghana Committed Drivers Assoc.- 0244233929
Mr. David Agboado- PRO, Concern Drivers Assoc – 0541063682
