Fuel could drive up transport fares in Central African Republic
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Corbeau News Centrafrique
Nicaise Ngouandji, secretary-general of the Central African Republic’s Union of Free Trade Unions, estimates that the fuel price increase could raise a motorcycle taxi fare from 750 to 1,000 or 2,000 CFA francs. He also expects food prices to rise and strong pressure on household incomes, according to Corbeau News Centrafrique.
The increase in fuel prices could raise the cost of a motorcycle taxi journey in Bangui from 750 to 1,000, or even 2,000 CFA francs, according to Nicaise Ngouandji, secretary-general of the Central African Republic’s Union of Free Trade Unions, quoted by Corbeau News Centrafrique. He believes the increase would particularly affect workers living far from the city centre.
For an employee earning 80,000 CFA francs a month, transport costs could absorb a significant share of disposable income, according to Nicaise Ngouandji. The trade unionist also believes that higher transport costs for goods could be passed on to the prices of products sold to consumers.
Nicaise Ngouandji called on the Central African government to reconsider its decision in light of its consequences for households and the prices of essential products, according to Corbeau News Centrafrique.
The increase in fuel prices had been announced on 2 October, with different prices depending on the products. Central African trade unions had then called for a freeze on fuel prices.
