The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (CDAG) has warned that they will boycott payment of road tolls again since the government has failed to address their concerns in the 2020 “concert budget”.
They mentioned that, the deplorable living conditions of drivers have been overlooked by the government despite numerous attempts to raise the issue.
“We are calling on drivers and Ghanaians to hold government accountable and let the people understand how the government has decided to neglect us,” they stated.
In a press statement released today, copied to ghananewsonline.com.gh, CDAG noted that regarding the 2020 budget, they hoped for a reduction in taxes and levies on petroleum products which would “result in the reduction in fuel prices for commercial drivers.
“Our expectation were for government to reduce the fuel [prices], we are suffering and the taxes are too much. You buy fuel and have to pay tax so what exactly are we taking home? Our members are dying,” the statement noted.
The group also bemoaned the high prices of vehicular spare parts despite government’s earlier promise to absorb some levies on its importation. This according to the CDAG has worsened their burdens as their cars are frequently damaged by the bad roads.
“We drive on poor roads which forces us to the shop everyday, prices of spare parts have also shot up which is a burden for us to carry as divers,” they noted.
The concerned drivers therefore asserted that, “since… government does not represent our interest as drivers by factoring us in to the country’s budget, we have decided not to pay any road toll again, and roadworthy will not be paid in connection with other related taxes”
They called on the authorities to address their concerns because “they are hard working Ghanaians which deserve a part of the national cake”.
Source: Jonas Danquah || ghananewsonline.com.gh