The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has revealed that the strike action declared as a result of the poor road network in transporting fuel is still in full force.
According to the union, despite the Ministry of Roads and Highways assurances to members that infrastructural works will commence on the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) Kpong Road in Tema, the strike remains in effect.
The assurance was made after a delegation from the Ministry met with the leadership of the Union to discuss ways to resolve the concerns of the tanker drivers.
Speaking on the issue, the Vice Chairman for the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, Sunday Alabi, iterated that the strike is still on despite the assurance.
“The strike is still ongoing, and the minister has sent his delegates to come and see how things are. We took them there, and they said they would take the issues back to the minister and schedule a meeting to work on them. But for us, we still maintain our stance. Until there is a commitment that their machines will be on the road, we will not go back to work.”
Sunday Alabi
Tema Fuel Company has over 7.6 million fuel stuck in tanks
Meanwhile, the Tema Fuel Company has disclosed that it has over 7.6 million litres of fuel stuck in its tanks following the strike by the Ghana National Tankers Drivers Union.
The drivers are demanding rehabilitation works on various roads near fuel depots across the country. Head of Finance and Stock at the Tema Fuel Company, Nana Adwoa Kumi Duah, revealed that their operations may grind to a halt if the strike continues.
“We have an empty truck that was supposed to be loaded today as a result of the tanker driver union strike, which means that we have lost revenue. Additionally, when we load the big tanks, we create space for the vessels to discharge their products into the tank. If we are not loading, then we are not able to create the space, and the vessels will have to lie down for longer periods than anticipated.”
Nana Adwoa Kumi Duah
Elsewhere, the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union in the Ashanti Region has clarified that its nationwide strike is not aimed at sabotaging the Akufo-Addo government.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Union, Edmund Baba, highlighted that the strike is primarily aimed at safeguarding the country’s road networks from further deterioration.
“What we are doing, we are not trying to sabotage the government, we are not politicians, we are not talking politics, we all have our individual political opinions. We want to save Mother Ghana from what is happening.”
Edmund Baba
The Union has for awhile, stated that the poor road network is negatively impacting their well-being and vehicles, which has further deteriorated as a result of heavy rains in the country recently.
Additionally, the Union has expressed concern about the state of roads leading to various depots in Takoradi, Tema, and Kumasi, operated by Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST).
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