Omanghana
Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has challenged private transport operators to provide clear evidence of increases in their operational expenses before demanding higher transport fares.
His comments follow calls from transport groups, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and the Progressive Transport Owners Association, for an upward adjustment in fares.
The operators have reportedly proposed an increase of about 30 per cent, citing rising fuel prices and other expenses associated with running commercial vehicles.
Speaking in a media interview, Tamakloe argued that changes in fuel prices should not be considered in isolation when determining transport fares.
He said any review must involve a comprehensive examination of the entire cost structure of transport operators, including fuel, spare parts, maintenance, insurance, taxes and other expenses.
According to the NPA chief executive, operators seeking an increase must demonstrate with empirical evidence how their expenses have changed and the extent to which those changes have affected their businesses.
Tamakloe also pointed to the relative stability of the Ghana cedi, noting that it had helped moderate the cost of imported spare parts.
Since many vehicle components are imported, he argued that currency stability should provide some relief and must be factored into any assessment of the financial pressures facing transport owners.
The NPA boss acknowledged that international diesel prices had increased sharply, rising from approximately $794 per tone earlier in the year to more than $1,519 per tone.
He said the government had, however, introduced interventions to prevent the full cost of the global increase from being transferred to consumers at the pumps.
According to him, the government has absorbed close to GH¢1 billion through measures intended to cushion consumers. The intervention reportedly includes a subsidy equivalent to about GH¢2 on every liter of diesel purchased.
Tamakloe maintained that the relief provided by the state must be taken into consideration when evaluating calls for higher transport fares.
He said fare adjustments should be based on verifiable data and a balanced assessment of all relevant economic factors rather than one component of operators’ expenses.
The debate over transport fares comes amid concerns about the effect of fuel price increases on commercial drivers, passengers and the wider cost of living.
Any approved increase could affect commuting expenses and contribute to higher prices for goods and services transported across the country.
The NPA has consequently urged the transport unions to present a detailed breakdown of their operating costs to support their proposal and allow the appropriate authorities to make an evidence-based decision.
Source: Omanghana
