Transport Minister to meet stakeholders on February 11 over calls for fare increment

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has expressed concern over the rising cost of transport fares.

His concern comes at a time commercial drivers are pushing for an increment due to increasing fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs.

To address these concerns, a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Drivers Association, is set for Tuesday, February 11.

The discussions will focus on reaching a consensus on fare adjustments. This follows the Minister’s recent nationwide tour, during which he engaged with the media on pressing transport issues.

“Unofficially, I have engaged them. Tomorrow, we will be engaging them too,” Mr Nikpe stated.

Beyond transport fares, the Minister has also emphasized the need to eliminate middlemen, commonly known as “goro” boys, who interfere with DVLA registration processes.

He noted that their activities often cause unnecessary delays for applicants following the proper procedures.

“We want to ensure that we do not have any connecting persons within DVLA, but that we should have tech to improve service for the people,” he said.

In response, some applicants who previously used their services have pledged to stop patronizing them.

As part of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, the CEO of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced plans to introduce 24-hour operations at DVLA offices.

“For DVLA, this is just a start. Any other service we render to the people would be on 24-hour basis,” he assured.

This move aims to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.

The Transport Minister also urged staff to adopt a more positive attitude towards their duties to ensure smoother operations and better service to the public.

The upcoming stakeholder meeting is expected to play a crucial role in determining the future of transport fares in Ghana.

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