Spokesperson of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has stated that the Union is sensitising the general public ahead of the imminent upward adjustment in transport charges.

Speaking on Joy FM’s News Night on Tuesday, Mr. Abass Imoro explained that the sensitisation is to avoid any misunderstanding between divers and commuters.

“Each time we come up with an upward adjustment, we see what happens. The general public [passengers] descend on us as if we do that on our own, or for no apparent reason. So this time round, Management of GPRTU has advised for sensitisation on the rate at which fuel prices go up when window prices are opened, so we prepare their minds,” he told Evans Mensah.

He, however, stated that various considerations will be made before a fixed percentage can be determined. He stressed that no fixed percentage has yet been decided.

 “Prices of spare parts, lubricants have not changed, All this shall be considered if they haven’t changed, then we shall dwell only on the fuel and that won’t be much higher,” he added.

The sensitisation is based on data that Joy Business had secured from the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies that prices of petroleum products are expected to witness one of the biggest jumps in recent times, from Thursday, June 16, 2022.

According to the data, a litre of diesel is expected to go up by 11.14%, while petrol will sell at 13%.

Petrol is currently being sold on the market for about ¢10.10 per litre, whereas diesel is going for ¢12.20.

Even though prices of crude oil have been fairly stabilised on the international market, the cost of refining the products is going up on the international market.

This situation means that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are likely to increase fuel prices on the market.

However, from what happened during the last pricing window, some OMCs had to renegotiate with the BDCs to reduce their prices.

This situation may occur again and therefore the margin of increment will reduce.

Meanwhile, any increment in fuel prices could force commercial transport operators to increase their fares, and this consequently will lead to an increased rate of inflation and cost of living.