The National Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Kwame Kuma has dismissed news going round that the Union was going to increase transport fares in the course of the week.

Speaking to Newslinegh.com Reporter in an exclusive interview over the Weekend, Kwame Kuma indicated that a lot of factors inform the adjustments of fares, and the GPRTU on its own cannot just ‘out of the blues’ change transport fares.

He further explained that, the process involves the GPRU, the Ministry of Roads and Transport and other transport Unions such as PROTOA and the rest.

According to him, the consultant of the Union is yet to finish the assessment for the Union to be informed of the recommendations.

He added that all the other stakeholders would also involve their consultants for their recommendations.

It is only after this point, He said, that there would be a stakeholder meeting of the members to deliberate on an acceptable middle line.

He reiterated that even in that case, prices could be reviewed upwards or downwards depending on prevailing parameters.

According to him, the normal trend is for prices to be reviewed during the ‘second window’ as we are in now, but “it is simply premature to talk of increment now”.

Explaining the ingredients that inform price adjustments, he indicated that the general economic condition, the exchange rate, inflation, cost of inputs such as spare parts among others goes into consideration in offering the need for price adjustments.

He therefore advised the general public to disabuse their minds of the perception that the GPRTU is a political tool.

He said it is not possible to do so, explaining that they have worked very well with every government and will continue to do so.

Members who superintend (who vote) for them, He emphasized, are of diverse political inclinations, making it suicidal and impossible for any single individual to dance to political tune.

He was reacting to earlier allegations leveled against him that, he had received car gifts from former President John Mahama.

He further advised all drivers and the youth generally, to be professional and focused in everything they do, adding that he rose through the trenches to get to where he is now.

Story: Frederick E. Aggrey

 

Exclusively Newslinegh