NPP Statement On Fuel Shotages

THE RETURN OF FUEL SHORTAGES AND LONG QUEUES

The rampant fuel shortages and the associated long queues at fuel stations that were so common under the previous NDC administration before 2001 are re-emerging under the current NDC administration.

Between 2001 and the close of 2008 when the NPP managed this country, fuel shortages and long queues at fuel stations became a thing of the past. The return of this phenomenon in national life is most unacceptable.

The daily bread of drivers, car-owners and their dependants lean on the ready availability of petroleum fuel. With the return of fuel shortages, many ordinary Ghanaians would suffer. Industries that use fuel directly would cut back on production for lack of fuel, causing workers to lose their jobs and their livelihood. The adverse effects of these shortages on the social and economic lives of people are really harsh. It would appear that the government does not understand the effect of fuel shortages on the livelihood of ordinary Ghanaians.

Increasingly, the inability of the NDC administration to manage the economy and the petroleum sub-sector is becoming obvious. First, Ghanaians were promised drastic fuel price reductions which never happened. Instead, we have seen drastic fuel price increases. At a crude oil price of US$64 per barrel, we are buying fuel at an average price of GH¢5.00 per gallon. This compares with an average price of GH¢5.20 per gallon a year ago when crude oil price was US$147 per barrel.

On top of all this, government is still unable to provide us with fuel to buy! The NPP calls on the Mills administration to sit up. Instead of government and its officials spending the nation’s resources frivolously on tea parties and amorous relationships, they should channel resources into those things that bring relief to Ghanaians. Governance should be about people.

Kwaku Kwarteng

Communications Director DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM