The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says transport fares will not be increased in the face of the controversial 17.5% tax on selected petroleum products.

Parliament Wednesday, under a certificate of urgency, passed the Special Petroleum Tax law which was boycotted by the Minority.

Government says the law is part of tax measures adopted to increase revenue generation as it looks forward to raking in GHc1.541 billion between November, 2014 and December, 2015.

The Oil Marketing Companies say they have already started charging the new tax.

As a result, there are marginal increases in premium 3% (3.39 pesewas per litre), diesel 3% (3.30 pesewas per litre), and kerosene 2.8%. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been reduced by 9.8% (2.94 pesewas per kilogram). Premix fuel and RFO were not be affected.

When Joy News’ Francis Abban visited some fuel stations in Accra today, he realised that the changes have taken effect and fuel stations have begun charging the new prices.

Consumers were divided over the new prices. While some welcome it as necessary to generate revenue for development projects, others say this will bring untold hardship on people.

But the GPRTU says the transport fares will not go up.

Greater Accra chairman, Robert Sabah told Joy News tha,t juxtaposing the increment to a recent decrease in some petroleum products, there is no need to hike fares.

“When you even strike the difference, you could see that there is nothing to write home about; it is just minimal and therefore it would not be wise to attract any increment in the lorry fares,” he said.