Blows Over Petrol

Since the price increment of petroleum products, there are reports of an artificial shortage of fuel in the Tamale Metropolis, resulting in taxi drivers engaging in fisticuffs over who should be served first at the few stations that are operating.  The shortage which has resulted in a mad rush for Super in particular has also obstructed the smooth running of some fuel stations due to long queues formed by both commercial and private car owners.

The situation which has degenerated into violent scenes at some stations was expected to have ended on Wednesday evening with hints that heavy loads of fuel tankers were en route to Tamale to discharge fuel.  Expectations were that fuel stations in the city would have had enough stock to serve their customers, but as at press time yesterday, only two filling stations were doing business while the expected fuel tankers were yet to arrive.
Reasons were however not given by the oil marketing companies for their inability to sell fuel to consumers though it was gathered that they had fuel in stock.

Fuel for a couple of weeks now has become a headache for both private and commercial drivers in the Tamale Metropolis as there had been a shortage several times, a situation which has halted most business activities.  This started when government announced a reduction in the prices of petroleum products; a reduction many described as insignificant.   Taxi drivers within the Tamale Metropolis took undue advantage of the situation to adjust fares instead of a reduction as directed by the management of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU).

The drivers were extorting monies from unsuspecting clients under various claims until the Chairman of the Tamale Taxi Rank branch of the GPRTU, Mohammed Abdul-Razak put an immediate stop to it, threatening to sanction those found culpable.  It was gathered that many of the fuel stations were hoarding the fuel in anticipation of an increment to enable them maximize profits.  Others were instead selling to wayside vendors who in turn sold out to customers at throat-cutting prices.

The situation has now assumed an alarming proportion with even the price increment. Customers have decried the shortages and the time spent at fuel stations before they are served.  Many say they could be cheated unknowingly in their rush to be served and are calling on the government to ensure that there is enough fuel in the system.  Others, on a contrary view, believed some unscrupulous persons were smuggling the fuel into neighboring countries, and appealed to the security agencies to check this practice particularly in the border towns.

Meanwhile, a cross section of commercial drivers who spoke to Daily Guide were worried about the price increase, saying it would gravely affect their sales in view of the directive that they should not increase fares.  Some of them complained that very soon, they were going to go out of business with the escalating fuel prices.

Source; Daily Guide