About 3.5 million fuel consumers likely to be impacted by tanker drivers strike

Members of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union have announced a nationwide strike action due to the failure to address their conditions of service.

As a result of the strike action, approximately 400 million liters of fuel are at risk of transportation delays. This could have a negative impact on around 3.5 million consumers of fuel products if the situation continues in the coming days and weeks, according to a citinewsroom.com report.

The Tanker Drivers Union have been demanding since November 2023 that the government address a policy framework outlining the conditions of service for its members to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for review and approval.

The policy framework, which was drafted by a 21-member committee, has not yet received the necessary approval from the NPA board.

This has caused widespread frustration among the tanker drivers, who have lodged complaints with the Presidency to urgently address concerns regarding their conditions of service and safety.

Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, reacting to the development expressed concern that the strike action could result in fuel shortages across the country.

“The oil marketing companies cannot get you the products without those tanker drivers and what that adds to the woes of the Ghanaian is that if that strike is not called off within the next 48 to 72 hours, we may soon have to queue to get fuel because the supply at the various fuel stations is likely to run out,” he said.

MA