General News of Saturday, 31 October 2009

Source: GNA

GPRTU keep fares in spite of petroleum price hike

Accra, Oct 31, GNA - The Ghana Road Transport Co-ordinating Council (GRTCC) in consultation with the Road Transport Organizations has directed transport owners not to increase transport fares after the recent increases in fuel prices.

In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Saturday signed by Messrs Matthew Hayford and Bashir B. Maouas, Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, of the Ghana Road Transport Co-ordinating Council, said the review of the prices should not warrant any change in road transport fares. Prior to the review, a litre of diesel cost GHc1.1206 or GHc 5.04 per gallon while a litre of petrol cost GHc 1.1141 or GHc 5.01 per gallon. Under the review, a litre of diesel now costs GHc 1.1805 or GHc 5.312 per gallon while a litre of petrol costs GHc 1.1698 or GHc 5.26 per gallon. The statement said: "judging from the above figures, the review of fuel prices should not warrant any change in road transport fares". It requested all transport operators to abide by the directive and apologized to all for the delay in coming out with the directive. The National Petroleum Authority on Saturday October 31, announced a five percent upward adjustment of fuel prices.