By Adu Koranteng
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured consumers of petroleum products that there will be no fuel shortage in the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Hassan Tampuli, says the Authority has enough products in stock and the fears of shortage are unfounded.
“We have enough stock in the country. We have diesel for almost five weeks, petrol, five weeks, LPG we have about one week, aviation fuel almost three and half weeks.
“So we have enough products in the country more than Malaysia has, as developed as they are. So we do not have any challenges,” he said.
Mr Tampuli’s assurance comes after some members of the Tanker Drivers Union (TDU) embarked on a sit-down strike on Monday, over poor working conditions.
The Union made up of over 4,000 bulk transporters of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products has said it members will park their tankers until the NPA addresses concerns relating to their working conditions and welfare.
“Enough is enough. We are no longer slaves to deserve this kind of treatment meted out to us. We are putting down our tools to see whether petroleum products will be carried across the country,” Chairman of the Union, George Nyaunu, stated.
There was however chaos between police and fuel tanker drivers who had gathered in front of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) yesterday to register their frustrations over poor working conditions and distortions in salaries.
The fully armed personnel believed to be from the National Security, came to restore calm as the drivers started their sit-down strike.
The angry members of Ghana National Tanker Drivers Union started pelting the officers who were there to stop their action with stones.
This resulted in the police shooting tear gas into the sky to disperse the crowd.
The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, which is made up of over 4,000 bulk transporters of petrol, diesel and other fuel types, has said its members will park their tankers until the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) addresses concerns relating to their working conditions and welfare.
“Enough is enough. We are no longer slaves to deserve this kind of treatment meted out to us. We are putting down our tools to see whether petroleum products will be carried across the country,” Chairman of the Union, George Nyaunu, said.
“It will be in the interest of NPA to address our concerns. What will happen on Monday will have a big repercussion on the country,” he added.
Mr Nyaunu said they are tired of NPA’s failed promises to resolve their concerns.
“It is like government does not take us seriously because we have complained about this same issue for more than a year.
Monday’s strike will mean petroleum products cannot be transported to fuel stations.
Meanwhile, the National Petroleum Authority assured consumers of petroleum products that there will be no fuel shortage in the country.
“The fears of fuel shortage are unfounded. We have enough stock in the country to last a while,” Hassan Tampuli, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority said on the Midday News on Joy FM.
Not only did they park their tankers, but they also refused to let other drivers who are against the strike to go about their duties.
Describing the protest as illegal, Mr Tampuli said “a whole lot of them do not support this illegal strike and they are trying to physically stop them from loading.”
He said the drivers have every right to strike but are not allowed to stop others from working.
Joy News’ Emefa Dzradosi was at the Tema Oil Refinery at midday and reported that security personnel had to fire warning shots to disperse the angry drivers after misunderstandings between themselves caused some chaos.
Emefa said police are still at the premises of TOR to prevent the drivers from causing any damage to public property.
