FULL TEXT OF GTUC STATEMENT ON INCREASES IN RAOD TOLLS, SIGNED BY MR KOFI ASAMOAH, SECRETARY GENERAL OF GTUC

Accra, Feb. 18, GNA - At its 54th meeting, the Steering Committee of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) noted with deep concern the recent astronomical increase in road tolls across the country as announced by government. The TUC is distressed not only by the extent of the adjustment but equally importantly by the manner in which the adjustment was made, without consultation whatsoever with the stakeholders in the road transport industry including the unions that organise in the sector.

While the TUC acknowledges the need for upward review of road tolls, it finds it difficult to appreciate the extent of the recent increase. An increase from GHp 5.00 to GHp50.00 representing over 900 per cent in a single stroke of upward adjustment is unbearable and difficult to justify. The argument that the road tolls have remained unchanged for a very long time and that the recent adjustments are necessary to make up for lost revenue is untenable. Whose fault is it that the tolls remained unchanged for that number of years? It is institutional and systemic failure on the part of government and its agencies. What government has done with this astronomical increase amounts to costing its failures and passing it on to the working people of this country. And that is unacceptable.

The astronomical increases have already fed into increases in transport fares and other consumer items. Vehicle owners and their drivers have passed on the increases to the motoring public exacerbating the plight of commuters.

The TUC is alarmed by these increases. It is equally distressed by the complete absence of consultation with the stakeholders prior to the announcement and subsequent implementation of such record level price hikes. The affiliate unions of TUC that organise in the road transport sector were not consulted in this process even though they are major stakeholders in the road transport industry. The TUC is disappointed by the failure of government to consult and engage stakeholders on such critical issue which has huge implications on cost of living.

The TUC also notes with deep concern that the road toll increases appear not to be an isolated incident and that it might after all be the first in a series of upward adjustment of user tariffs. The raging debate over electricity and petroleum tariffs all point to government policy that seeks to further burden ordinary workers and their families. The TUC urges government to as matte of urgency consider a review of the tolls through consultation with all relevant stakeholders in the road transport sector. The review is necessary not only to alleviate the plight of motorists and passengers but also in addressing the raging confrontation between drivers and passengers. 18 Feb. 10