Ver Angola

Energy

Federation of road hauliers applauds withdrawal of fuel subsidies

The president of the Federation of Associations of Road Transporters of Passengers, Goods and Related Products (Fatropma) considered this Friday as fair the gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies, being too late.

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Speaking to the Lusa agency, António Martins said that since 2016 the price of selling gasoline to the public has not been revised and after seven years there has been a "sudden increase in the order of almost approximately 90 percent".

The Government announced Thursday the gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies, which in this first phase focused on the price of gasoline, which rose from 160 kwanzas to 300 kwanzas per litre, exempting licensed taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers, urban public transport and artisanal fishing.

For António Martins, "if the review were carried out periodically, for example, every six months or annually, vehicle users would not feel its impact so much".

"The timing is still right, because the price of gasoline, with this increase that has taken place from today, continues to be the lowest in all of Southern Africa, so this 90 percent increase is only fair, which should be gradual", he stressed.

The leader of Fatropma stressed that "fuel is a relevant input in the social life of the population and when the price increases this impacts other areas of society".

"What the Government really needs to do is rigorous supervision so that there is no exploitation and speculation in the price of gasoline", he advocated.

According to the person in charge, many of the taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers are not yet licensed and only those who are in this condition will have access to the cards for refueling at the fuel pumps with the previous prices.

"It is also a welcome measure, because what we have been following is many citizens who carry out the activity, but are not licensed, do not pay taxes to the OGE [General State Budget] and all activity must be legalized", he added.

Regarding the activity of truck drivers, he considered that "there won't be many problems, because generally, most trucks use more diesel" and the same also for some collective taxis, the "Azul e Branco".

"And it was precisely because of this that the Government at this very moment revised the price of gasoline and not the problem of diesel", he said.

According to the president of Fatropma, the Government now has to strengthen control and supervision, namely "of how these cards will actually be used and whether users of licensed vehicles will honor them".

"The Government has to work hard with the associations, as the Government's social partners for them to do their basic work in mobilizing and raising awareness among taxi drivers so that they do not shorten routes, do not increase prices, because this measure almost does not affect taxi drivers," he said.

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