The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has rejected claims by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) that rising spare parts prices contributed to the recently announced 30 per cent increase in transport fares.
The Association described the claim as false and misleading, insisting that there has been no increase in spare parts prices at Abossey Okai significant enough to justify the fare adjustment.
In a statement, the Association urged the public to disregard any suggestion that the rising cost of spare parts is responsible for the increase in lorry fares.
According to the dealers, spare parts prices have remained relatively stable, with no significant changes in import duties or prevailing market conditions that could support the explanation being offered by commercial transport operators.
The Association said stock levels at the Abossey Okai spare parts hub also remained stable, while the prices of essential vehicle components, including engine oil and filters, had not changed.
The Association went further to accuse commercial transport operators of using the fare increase to put pressure on the government and extract more money from commuters.
“They are road robbers,” the Association stated, describing the justification for the fare increase as unacceptable.
The dealers also questioned the basis for linking the fare adjustment to spare parts sold at Abossey Okai, particularly because, according to the Association, some commercial transport operators have themselves indicated that they purchase spare parts online rather than directly from dealers at Abossey Okai.
It therefore challenged transport operators to provide verifiable evidence of increases in spare parts costs if such increases are being cited as a basis for raising fares.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association called on driver and transport associations to base any future adjustments to fares on verifiable economic indicators, rather than what it described as unfounded claims about the cost of vehicle maintenance.
It further called for greater transparency in discussions over transport fares, saying all relevant stakeholders—including government regulators, transport unions and other affected industry groups—should be involved in the process.
According to the Association, such an approach would help ensure that fare adjustments are fair and accurately reflect prevailing economic conditions.
The dealers urged transport users and the general public to disregard claims linking the recent 30 per cent fare increase to rising spare parts prices at Abossey Okai.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and accurate information in matters affecting Ghana’s transport and automotive spare parts industries.
By 1960news.com
