Albert Nana Asante
30 June 2008
Obuasi — GOVERNMENT WILL manage the reduction of petroleum taxes, in such a way that lorry fares would remain stable for the rest of the year, Mr. Kwaku Kwarteng, Government Spokesman on Finance & Economy, has disclosed.
Speaking to reporters at Adansi Asokwa, in the Adansi North District of Ashanti Region, over the weekend, Mr Kwarteng said, this was a key element in the relief measures announced by the President recently.
He said frequent increases in lorry fares, resulting from increases in crude oil prices, places a certain stress on the finances of individuals and businesses, hence the steps by Government to deal with the situation.
"We have had discussions with the National Petroleum Authority, and Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, and can confirm that lorry fares will remain stable in the coming months."
He said this would be made possible, by the new pricing, instituted by the NPA with government support, adding, "I don't foresee lorry fares increasing any time this year.
"It is true that crude oil price hit a record US$142 last Thursday, but the pricing of fuel would ensure that there would be no increases in lorry fares in Ghana."
Kwarteng said while the reduction in lorry fares, as result of the fuel price reduction recently, was welcome, at the heart of the Government's relief package was the stability of lorry fares, adding that was key to the relief measures.
Mr. Kwarteng further explained that in spite of the unprecedented pressures that have come on the economy from the external environment, the real income of Ghanaians has not lagged behind prices of goods and services.
"We do not suggest that we have eliminated poverty in Ghana, nor do we suggest that we have solved all the problems of this country, as national development would always be an ongoing business.
"What we can confidently say, however, is that given how far we have come in the last eight years, if the current policy mixes are maintained, we will surely get there," he concluded.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Ghanaian Chronicle. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
