Transport FaresTo Go Up Next Week …Sachet Water To Be Sold At 50pesewas

It appears the current high cost of living in the country, as a result of the increasing prices of goods and services, is far from over, because public transport fares will from Wednesday, September 21, are expected to go up again.

Though exact percentage is yet to be approved by government, transport unions are proposing at least a 30 percent upward adjustment in fares.

This was announced in a communique from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) yesterday, September 14.

According to the union, the decision follows a successful consultation with its mother body.

“In consultation with our mother body, the GPRTU OF TUC, we wish to announce to the general public that there will be a 30% increment on fares, starting Wednesday 21st September 2022.”

It cited the rise in the cost of fuel and spare parts as the basis for the action.

“Due to the increment in fuel products, spare parts and the poor management of the economy by the government, we are unable to make enough money to cater for our family and pay off our loans.”

“Electricity tariffs, water tariffs, prices of spare parts, prices of food and pure water have all increased, hence we have no option than to also increase our fares,” the statement added.

It,therefore, charged its members to only charge the approved percentage.

“We are cautioning our members not to charge more than the agreed 30%.”

The GPRTU had earlier described as alarming the recent hikes in prices of petroleum products in the country.

Fuel prices at the local pumps shot up by about 5.4 per cent from September 1, 2022, with petrol and diesel trading at an average of ¢11.55 and ¢14.50 respectively.

At the beginning of the year, petrol and diesel were trading at an average of ¢6.9 and ¢7.0 per litre respectively.

Sachet Water To Be Sold At 50P

Meanwhile, the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) has announced another upward increment in the prices of sachet and bottled water effective Monday, September 19.

According to the association, a bag of sachet water, 500ml by 30pcs, is to be sold at ¢7 maximum from the retail trucks. Mini shops, however, will retail the commodity at ¢9 per bag maximum.

The price of iced sachet water will be retailed at ¢0.50p, while the 500ml bottled water will be retailed at ¢2. Iced bottled water of 750ml or medium size, will be sold at ¢3.00.

NASPAWAP, in the statement issued yesterday attributed the adjustment of prices to the fuel price hikes and the cedi depreciation.

“The price reviews have been necessitated by the rising cost of inputs such as fuel and packaging materials which are mainly imported, increases in electricity and water which took effect from September 1, 2022.

“At our previous review in March 2022, the dollar was in the region of ¢8.5. Currently, it is inching up to ¢10. Fuel prices have significantly gone up since our last review. It was 9 and now it is ¢14.5, which is a 61 % change since March 23, 2022.”

Parts of the statement, however, cautioned that there might be slight variations in prices across the regions due to haulage to remote and distant areas.

The association further appealed to all and sundry to cooperate with the dealers since the adjustment is to reduce the production cost of manufacturers.

“The suggested adjustment is to help producers cover their production costs. We appreciate the difficulties our consumers have to go through to endure these hardships. We appeal to all to bear with us,” it said.

Source: Anchorghana