The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has strongly criticised the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for swiftly reintroducing the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy on petroleum products.

GPRTU argues that drivers and commuters did not benefit from the suspension of the levy, as it was reinstated barely a week after suspension.

They assert that this move will exacerbate the already challenging situation for commuters, as it has resulted in higher prices for petroleum products.

In an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, April 4, the Public Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abbas Imoro, urged the NPA and the government to reconsider their decision in light of its adverse impact on commuters.

Read also: Government temporarily suspends implementation of price Stabilisation and Recovery levy on petroleum products

“It is surprising that we have fought over that and was accepted and within three days or two days, it has been withdrawn. Because if you can remember, some time back, we fought over some of the taxes which we said should be taken off from the price build-up.

"So if today the government heard or understood or listened to us and said yes, I have taken off this price stabilisation levy because it doesn’t stabilise any price, and just for the government to withdraw it in about two days, it is surprising.”

On April 4, 2024, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) issued instructions to all Oil Marketing Companies and associated stakeholders to impose a levy of 16 pesewas per litre on Petrol, 14 pesewas per litre on Diesel, and 14 pesewas per kilogramme of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

This decision came after the NPA had announced a suspension of the levy on Monday, April 1.

The reintroduction of the levy has sparked anger among the public, with some questioning the rationale behind the initial suspension notice.