Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors urges swift resolution of strike action by Tanker Drivers to avoid fuel shortage
Ghana’s Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) is intensifying efforts to address the road concerns raised by the Ghana National Tankers Drivers Union. The CBOD emphasizes the urgent need to resolve these issues promptly to prevent a potential shortage of petroleum products in the coming days.
Delays in addressing the drivers’ concerns could have a significant impact on the supply of petroleum products, warns Dr. Patrick Kweku Ofori, the Chief Executive of the CBOD. With the strike now entering its second day, Dr. Ofori cautions that the ability to transport fuel will become increasingly challenging. He also highlights the potential financial implications for CBOD members, such as demurrage charges on anchored products and vessels at ports.
The strike action by the National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, which began on June 26, 2023, aims to draw attention to the urgent need for road rehabilitation in the industrial enclaves of Tema and depots across Ghana, including Takoradi, Kumasi, and Buipe.
Despite previous engagements with government officials and the National Petroleum Authority yielding no desired results, the union decided to take this action.
The union emphasizes that the poor state of the roads poses serious risks when transporting petroleum products throughout the country. Acknowledging the legitimacy of the drivers’ concerns, Dr. Ofori emphasizes the immediate need for resolution.
He underscores the vital role these roads play in the supply and distribution of petroleum products, both domestically and for industries. The lack of action thus far is deemed surprising and calls for local authorities to be responsive to citizens’ calls to prevent such unrest in the future.
Dr. Ofori reveals that the Tema Industrial enclave alone accounts for approximately 70% of Ghana’s finished petroleum needs. This further underscores the critical importance of addressing the road rehabilitation issue in a timely manner.
Efforts are being made to find a swift resolution to the concerns raised by the drivers, as stakeholders recognize the potential adverse consequences of prolonged disruptions to the supply chain.
