On Sunday, August 1, 2022, Gas Tanker Drivers and Liquefied Petroleum Gas in the country, announced indefinite suspension of operations.
In their reasons for downing their tools and closing gas service stations, the aggrieved workers, lamented over government’s refusal to re-open some gas stations that were closed after the 2017 gas explosion at the Atomic Junction in Accra.
In a press release dated July 29, 2022, the Association disclosed that the move is in consultation with relevant stakeholders in the industry, such as Ghana LPG Operators (GLIPGOA), LPG Marketers Association (LPGMC) among stakeholders in the LPG downstream industry.
They mentioned several reasons for the sit-down strike, including tanker drivers’ poor working conditions, abandoned LPG stations under construction since 2017, and unfair treatment of petroleum tanker drivers by BOST and NPA.
No doubt this has not been the best time for Ghanaians. What is happening in the energy delivery sector, is the reflection of the general state of affairs in the country.
The shutdown of the gas service stations, has compounded the affliction of consumers, who do not only have to deal with the astronomical rise in the cost of gas caused by the crash of the value of the national currency, vis-à-vis other international currencies, especially the dollar, but also the unavailability of the product, due to the indefinite strike action.
Consequently, Customers have been stranded at the various gas filling station outlets across the country.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, the government should do all within its power to make sure this strike does not drag for long.
The country cannot afford a long shut down of gas service stations. The economy will be the worse for if one considers the benefit derived from it by consumers.
