By Yusupha Jobe
Omar Ceesay, chairman of Gambia Transport Union has urged government to reduce fuel price to safe drivers from going through loses during the public health emergency.
President Adama Barrow last Friday declared seven-day public health emergency which showed vehicles cutting down half capacity in an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus. The new law was enforced on Monday.
Mr Cessay, who spoke to The Voice in an interview on Wednesday, said: “We are expecting government to make a reduction of 50% from the normal fuel price so that commercial vehicles will not be burden for reducing the number passengers to 50%.”
According to him, world fuel price stands at 25.43 dollars and this is causing negative impact in the transportation service.
“As I am speaking to you the price of fuel in the world markets stands at 25.43 dollars which is still not change. So, meaning the price sale on local fuel is also not change. The only price reduction I heard government had made on fuel in the country is only amounted to 1.5 butut which has not even make any impact on the daily business of drivers,” he said.
He added that the transport union on Monday had consultative meeting with the government regarding the President’s declaration on state of emergency advising drivers to carry half of the total number of passengers they are allowed to carry by law.
“We had a meeting with government last Monday where assurance was given that price on fuel will go down to suit the country’s transportation system. But what changes has the government made on local fuel price to make sure there is no increase in transport fare?” he said.