LPG gas problems worsen in Accra

Just when Ghanaians were coming to terms with the power crisis in the country, they have been hit by the shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Residents at Odorkor Tipper, Dansoman Control, Kaneshie, Teshie, La, Osu and Nungua cannot find gas to purchase, as the product has become scarce in the past few weeks.

The shortage of the commodity comes shortly after the removal of subsidies on petroleum products by government a few weeks ago.

A visit by CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE to some gas stations in Accra yesterday indicated that the commodity was in short supply.

The price of the product has also shot up: a 15-kilogramme cylinder, which went for GH¢8, is now going for GH¢12 while a 45-kilogramme cylinder, which formerly went for GH¢19, is now GH¢28.3.

At Odorkor Tipper gas station, residents were seen carrying their cylinders from one part of the station to another in their quest to refill them. Cars and mini trucks were also seen parked at the station.

“I came here at 7am, my cylinder is in the queue but I have not even reached close to where they are filling the gas,” a resident said. Other residents opted for “VIP” treatment.

Such people waited at a particular place and paid the workers at the station between GH¢5 and GH¢7 to have their cylinders refilled quickly.

Another resident, Aisha Abubakar said, “We heard gas had been brought here so I brought my cylinder to be refilled yesterday but I was told to pay GH¢5 and leave my cylinder and come for it today. Since morning, I haven’t received it, all they are telling me is to wait.”

The situation was no different at the La Trade Fair gas stations where residents had formed queue since dawn. Nii Adjei Annan, a resident, said insufficient supply of gas had been a regular phenomenon in the area.

“When they bring the gas we have to make sure we get to buy it else we have to wait for about three to four days before another comes,” he said.