By: Kemo Kanyi
The General Transport Union (GTU) of The Gambia has expressed resentment over the price of diesel prices and urges the government to support the sector with preferential subsidy.
Omar Ceesay, the president of GTU, in a press conference held at the Union’s headquarters in Banjul on Tuesday said the current subsidies on fuel appear to cover all fuel types, many of which primarily serve private use, stating that prioritizing diesel would significantly reduce the pump price of diesel, easing the operational costs of commercial transport operators, stabilizing market prices, and supporting economic growth.
Mr Ceesay revealed that diesel prices have increased by 63.89% since the last fare increment on the 3rd of November 2024. He said this circumstance is creating a heavy and crushing financial burden for commercial transport operators.
He informed that the GTU agreed to a resolution that the government shall redirect subsidies exclusively to diesel, as diesel is directly linked to the commercial transport sector and the national economy, describing that such an approach ensures a fair and targeted subsidy policy that delivers meaningful relief to the commercial market and supports economic stability.
“The government shall introduce a special subsidy on diesel pump prices for commercial vehicles to reduce operational burdens and stabilize public transport fares,” he pointed out.
He further unearthed that Diesel pump price has risen by D33.37 per litre since November 2021, adding that vehicle maintenance costs have doubled due to rising prices of spare parts, lubricants, and Workshop services inflation and its impact on road transport workers. The GTU president highlighted that the continuous rise in the prices of essential goods and services in the market have a direct impact on road transport workers.
He noted that as the primary breadwinners of their families, transport workers face increasing financial hardship, and their daily income, unable to adequately cover the rising cost of living, as the situation, undermines their welfare, reduces household stability, and threatens the sustainability of the transport sector as a whole.
On the issue of fare increments, Mr. Omar Ceesay tasked the government to establish a Special Fare Adjustment Committee to review, negotiate, and approve periodic fare adjustments in a fair market.