Fuel shortage intensifies in Tamale

Private and commercial drivers in the Tamale Metropolis have for the past one-week been going through stress in fuelling their vehicles, as fuel shortages intensify in the Metropolis.

Petrol has been in short supply in the Metropolis ever since government reduced the fuel prices. This situation is gradually bringing untold hardships to the people as most commercial and private drivers have since packed their vehicles waiting for the problem to be addressed.

At some places, only diesel and kerosene products are on sale. Majority of the drivers, especially Taxi Drivers are now moving from one fuel station to another in search of petrol.

Dealers are allegedly offloading the fuel at night to fuel vendors along the streets who sell in gallons and at exorbitant prices. A gallon of petrol now sells between six (6) and seven (7) Ghana Cedis by the retailers in Tamale.

Some of the retailers who spoke to The Northern File on condition of anonymity confirmed they have connections with the fuel station operators who secretly offload the petrol to them during the night, for their mutual benefit.

It is believed some Taxi drivers are also taking advantage of the situation to charge abnormal fares. However, at one of the Total Filling Stations in Tamale near Ghana Telecom Offices, private and commercial drivers as well as motorists were seen scrambling for petrol.

It was a time for only the strong to survive. Madam Rosemond Kumah, a development worker said the situation was affecting her in diverse ways and appealed to the government to take immediate action. She also complained about how some retailers were taking undue advantage of the situation in Tamale

Some Taxi Drivers also complained about the situation and appealed to government to take immediate action. The Branch Manager of the Total Filling Station, Mr. Yahaya Yakubu, says he was the only person who has received his supply from the Tema Oil Refinery but there were very little to meet the demands of the people.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Tamale Taxi Rank Branch of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, Mohammed Abdul-Razak cautioned that any taxi driver who would increase transport fares as a result of the unavailability of petrol in the Metropolis, would be committing a very serious crime.

According to him, the old fares announced by the GPRTU, some few weeks ago were still in force and therefore, it would be criminal and unwise for any driver to unilaterally increase car fares due to lack of petrol.

Mr. Abdul-Razak, otherwise known as 'Dolomite' maintained that drivers who could not contain the situation should rather pack their cars instead of charging illegitimate fares.