Durban Chamber of Commerce warns government against fuel hike
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC warns that the fuel hike will threaten the survival of thousands of businesses and will be detrimental to the business economy.
![Fuel pump](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2022/05/fuel-pump-780x470.jpg)
THE Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC is concerned about the proposed fuel price hike that has been forecast to be implemented in June. The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a non-profit company and is the oldest and largest metropolitan chamber in Africa. The organisation works to protect and promote interests of the eThekwini business community.
According to Nigel Ward, President of The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC organisation, the fuel hike will threaten the survival of thousands of businesses and will be detrimental to the business economy.
ALSO READ: How to calculate your car’s fuel consumption
“South Africa is extremely reliant on the logistics sector, from our roads, rail and ports. We believe the fuel price increase will lead to price inflation of goods and services across the country, making food and commuting very expensive. The whole economic ecosystem will be affected; this a huge threat which can lead to negative pushback and social unrest,” said Ward.
Ward said the government needs to urgently prioritise this issue and diligently act on it as the South African economy is at a risk of collapsing.
ALSO READ: SANCA gets renovated
According to Ward, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry recommends that the government considers a reduction in the RAF and fuel levy and uses a phased approach to increase the fuel. The organisation suggests that government consult with the business community to understand the impact on businesses and work towards a justified and sustainable solution.
“The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC believes collaborative co-operation between the private and public sector is non-negotiable and will yield to great results that will contribute to the sustainability of businesses and the economy. It is the responsibility of the government to create a conducive environment for businesses to business,” said Ward.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations. Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Berea community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts. Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.