The minority in parliament has called on government to fix roads connecting the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and other petroleum depots in the country.

According to the minority, the roads must be fixed to avert a national crisis, especially following the strike action by the Tanker Drivers Union.

Contained in a statement dated June 29, 2023, signed by the Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee, John Abdulai Jinapor, it explained that the minority has taken note of a genuine decision taken by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers under the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Petroleum Gas Drivers Union to embark on a sit-down strike over the deplorable condition of the Tema Oil Refinery to Kpone road in the Greater Accra Region.

Additionally, it noted that Tanker vehicles with loads of petroleum products from the country’s petroleum enclaves in Takoradi, Kumasi and Buipe, have equally withdrawn their services insisting they will not resume work until the deplorable roads leading to those depots are rehabilitated.

“We wish to state emphatically that we completely reject the excuse by the Government communicators that the nation is broke following the rapid deployment of road contractors to complete some major roads in the Assin North Constituency during the period of the recently held by-elections… By this release, we call on the government to fix the said roads with immediate effect.”
John Abdulai Jinapor

The minority stated that the action by the government in attending to the fixing of roads in Assin North points to the fact that government has priorities. This, the minority believes, must be replicated in the fixing of roads connecting these major depots, as it should be one of such priorities.

Highlighting the impact of the sit-down strike by tanker drivers, the minority underscored that information available indicates that the strike action is already having a negative impact on petroleum supplies with reported shortages of LPG and other products in some parts of the country.

“It should be noted that the Petroleum products being transported on these deplorable roads are highly inflammable and has the potential of compromising the safety of drivers and pedestrians.”
John Abdulai Jinapor

Furthermore, the Minority made an urgent and passionate appeal to the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumia-led Government to refrain from the usual “lackluster approach” and show commitment towards addressing the genuine concerns of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union with immediate effect to avert the pending national crisis.

Tanker Drivers Union anticipates fixing of roads

Meanwhile, the National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has revealed that it expects government to show commitment to fixing deplorable roads leading to its depots in Takoradi, Tema, and Kumasi, operated by Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST).

The drivers are expected to meet with the Ministry of Roads and Highways today over the deteriorating nature of their working conditions which has forced them to embark on an indefinite strike.

According to the Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers union, George Nyaunu, until government begins grading roads they use, they won’t call off their strike.

“So, I just had a confirmation call that the Minister will be able to meet us… We don’t need much from the government, we just need them to fix the road that is the only thing we are looking for. And we are not saying at least they should do it in asphalt or concrete for now, they should grade and compact it for now, they will be managing it because we know how we suffer on the road.”
George Nyaunu

Mr Nyaunu stated that the union is not complaining that the government should construct all bad roads in the country. He emphasized that for now, government should focus on the routes where the depots are sited particularly Tema, Takoradi and Kumasi, as all these three depots do not make up to 20 km.