Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, has revealed that the ministry has made the necessary arrangements to ensure unmotorable roads leading to the various petroleum tanker depots in the country are repaired within the next six months.
According to him, the Tema Oil Refinery road, which was the primary reason for the strike initiated by the tanker drivers, was undergoing repairs until works was impeded by the rains, making it unmotorable. He indicated that the road in question has a contractor who is currently widening it.
Nonetheless, he emphasized that government remains committed to addressing the needs of the drivers to avert a much bigger problem.
“The contractor will increase the number of machines on the road and start improving the surface of the road. It will take three weeks to improve the surface of the road, but the main road will be rebuilt to the specifications in the contract, which will take about six months. The contract will stick to that work schedule.”
Nasir Ahmad Yartey
Furthermore, Mr. Yartey noted that provisions have been made to have additional machinery on the various construction sites to help with the road construction and improve the movement of trucks.
“The temporary measures he will add are to ensure that while he works on the culverts and drainage system. He should improve the riding surface of the road during this rainy season to make sure that the tankers have a smooth ride as they do their work.”
Nasir Ahmad Yartey
Tanker drivers’ union suspend strike action
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Tanker Drivers have suspended their industrial action after a crucial meeting with the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah.
Following the meeting, the union is expected to resume work today, June 30, 2023, while work begins to improve the road.
Speaking on the issue, the tanker drivers’ union vice chairman, Sunday Alabi, revealed that after the meeting with the minister, the union decided to suspend their strike on the condition that the contractor ensures that the riding quality is improved within three weeks.
“The access road to the depots in Kumasi, Takoradi and Buipe are to be improved as works on the roads will commence from tomorrow and a seven-member committee is formed. The ministry will give us three people and four will be from the union to monitor the progress of works on the roads.”
Sunday Alabi
On the other hand, Raymond Aflo, secretary to the Ghana National Petroleum Drivers Union, stated that the suspension of the strike is subject to the commitment of the government and the contractor to stay on site until the work is completed.
Prior to this, minister for roads and highway, Mr. Amoako-Attah, iterated that a joint committee from the ministry and union will be formed immediately to resolve their concerns. He assured them that either him or his deputy will be there once a week to inspect the progress of work on the road
“I will be coming here once every week. If I am unable to make it, my deputy will be here. So, please do the work as required of you. The country belongs to all of us. There is a problem, and it must be resolved. So, we need to be patient and address it the right way. So let us work together.”
Amoako Attah
It will be recalled that the union announced a sit-down strike on Monday, June 26, 2023, over concerns about the poor road network around their loading terminals.
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