By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta (VR), Dec 17, GNA – Some commercial drivers at Keta in the Volta Region have expressed excitement over fuel prices dropped by four per cent ahead of the upcoming Christmas festivities.
The news has left many operators in the town feeling elated and optimistic about better celebration of festive season with better economic relief.
Mr Godson Blewu, a taxi driver at Keta, told the Ghana News Agency, in an interview that many drivers have jubilated over the price reduction with the lower fuel costs expected to make their driving business more profitable and a believed that the drop would give their operations a much-needed boost to survive the busy Christmas period.
“We thank the government for hearing our plights and responding with the fuel price cut. We expressed gratitude to them; the move shows the authorities are listening to the concerns of ordinary workers like us,” he said.
He explained that the cheaper fuel would improve their business to flow well and enable them to increase income and support their families better and anticipated a surge in earnings that could also promote their family lives significantly during the holidays.
Mr Blewu said that many drivers expect Christmas to be celebrated with joy and abundance, and reduced expenses mean they could spend more on festive preparations and enjoy a merrier season with their loved ones without much more financial difficulties.
“My only advice to my fellow drivers is that, amidst the celebrations, each and every one of us must drive with care during the festive season to avoid unfortunate accidents, safety must remain our priority even as we enjoy the benefits of lower fuel costs.”
Mr Senyo Bombey Agbedanu, another driver, said that the effect of the fuel price reduction was expected to be felt across the local economy, as cheaper transportation costs could affect lower prices of goods and services in Keta municipality and beyond to stimulate economic activity in across the communities.
He said the price cut is anticipated to help improve the driving business by increasing profit margins for other operators while with lower operational costs, drivers would invest more in vehicle maintenance and expansion.
He appealed to the government to intervention and help adjust spare part prices to enable drivers to afford proper maintenance of their vehicles.
However, some commuters in Keta have also expressed joy about the development and expected that the transport fares would be adjusted downward to favour everybody to make travelling more affordable for passengers during the festive season.
They said that the local businesses may likely benefit them indirectly from the fuel price drop, as reduced transportation costs could also lead to lower prices for goods and services to boost overall economic activity in Keta and the surrounding communities ahead of the yuletide.
Many hoped that the fuel price reduction would contribute to a peaceful and prosperous festive season in Keta while the move was seen as a gesture of goodwill toward drivers and the broader community.
However, the four per cent fuel price drop has injected optimism into the transport sector at Keta with commuters, drivers and businesses expecting brighter Christmas while the communities look forward to a season of economic relief and joyful celebrations.
Meanwhile, other the price adjustment outlined in the latest pricing outlook released by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), has served as a guide for oil marketing companies in determining pump prices with Diesel expected to experience a reduction sell of 4.59 per cent, which could see prices fall to approximately GHS 13.20 per litre.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is also said to record a slight drop, with prices expected to fall by up to 2.16 per cent at pumps, with an estimated retail price of about GHS14.00 per kilogram.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade