Drivers Prefer GOIL, Total And Vivo
Commercial and Private drivers in Accra have tagged Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, and Vivo Energy Ghana Limited as the most preferred Oil Marketing Companies due mainly to their customer relations and prices.
A random survey conducted at strategic locations in Accra, including major lorry stations, ministries, bus stops and within traffic on John Evans Atta Mills High Street, by the Ghana News Agency revealed that GOIL scored the highest mark for low price of petroleum products.
Other OMCs mentioned in the survey included; Engen Ghana Limited, Star Oil, Galaxy Oil, Alinco Oil and Puma Energy Distribution.
Majority of the drivers based their judgement of the choice of OMCs to buy from mainly on the cost of fuel, behaviour of service providers especially filling station attendants, safety and environment, accessibility to the station, and occasional promotional packages.
Mr Bani Johnson, driver who plies the Accra to Akatsi route told the GNA that he preferred GOIL because their environments were always neatly kept, 'they attend to you speedily as soon as you enter the station'.
He said he was not ready to stop purchasing from GOIL even if the prices went higher than other OMCs. I have been using GOIL for the past four years and I have no problem with my engine. Their attendants are good, environments are spacious and clean'.
Madam Sakina Najonbi, a worker at Ghana Education Service (GES) also affirmed preference to GOIL and Shell although the prices were expensive.
'Another consideration for patronising GOIL product is that it is the foremost Ghanaian Oil and gas company. I like GOIL because it is from Ghana. Their prices are good and their services are extremely good,' she said.
An Immigration Officer, Mr Joseph Amponsah told the GNA that, 'GOIL is good considering the quality and quantity provided. Quantity per litre that is value for money as compared to other companies'.
Mr Seth Nuricor, a commercial driver at the Accra-Kade-Akwatia branch at the Tudu Station, told the GNA, 'I prefer buying from Vivo compared to other OMCs, as the consistent usage of Vivo fuel and engine oil has increased the life span of my car's engine'.
Mr Gilbert Datsomor, a driver at the Accra- Aflao branch also at Tudu Station, said he preferred GOIL because it prolonged his engine lifespan and clears the fuel pump.
He said the customer service was good and the fuel station was secured adding 'I will choose GOIL over the other fuel stations but I am not comfortable with the fuel price'.
Mr Phanuel Amuzut, a commercial driver at the Adidime- Accra branch at the Tudu Station told the GNA 'I prefer Vivo but occasionally I purchase from Total, Puma and Alinco petroleum when I am not closed to any Vivo outlet.
'The most important thing for me is the price. I mostly patronise the cheapest oil outlet'.
Mr Amuzut noted that Puma also provided regular customers with refreshments, the environment and their customer service was also good, and 'I just wish Vivo will also give us souvenirs, that way we would feel honoured as customers'.
Other drivers including Mr Edem Aquah, a commercial driver from Accra - Ada and Mr Obi Okeke, a driver from the Accra-Lagos branch, also connected to GOIL and Vivo.
Mr Emmanuel Acquah, an Accra to Dansoman Trotrodriver at the Tema Station stated that he preferred Total, adding that, 'Total the fuel takes a long time to finish'.
Mr Eric Djabatey, a Tema Station Trotro driver on the Accra to Ashaiman route also said 'I have been buying fuel from Total for the past five years as their fuel is less expensive but of quality and last longer as compared to the others.
Mr Alhassan Yussif, a private car owner also showed preference for Vivo, saying that, 'their customer relations are good and it is one of the best oil marketing companies in Ghana'.
Mr Joseph Ashong, an Accra to Ashaiman driver preferred GOIL saying 'the attendants at GOIL Filling Stations are nice as they always approach customers and give directions. They make customers feel comfortable'.
On whether their preferred OMCs offered them incentives or not, Mr Fiifi Opoku, a private car owner said, 'I received a T-shirt once from Total'.
Wofa Yaw, an Accra to Tema driver said that 'GOIL gives T-shirts, rice, frytol among others to customers during Christmas'.
Drivers at stations dotted around the Makola Market also told the GNA that GOIL was their most preferred OMC followed by Vivo and Total.
Mr Ebenezer Kai, an employee of Nestle Ghana Limited and a private driver said that, he preferred GOIL because the quality of their product and their services were far better compared to the others.
Mr Kai advised that, safety measures should be taken and the dispensers must have fire extinguishers.
'Incentives should be given to fuel attendants to motivate them and also to avoid the issues of having them fill our tanks with air.'
Mr Ebenezer Lomotey, a commercial driver explained that he prefered GOIL even though situations do not allow him to buy his preferences.
Mr Prince Addo, a private driver also preferred Total but advised that 'Filling Station Attendants should be educated and paid satisfactorily to avoid pumping air into tanks and must also be proactive and not wait till something happens first'.
Mr Ibrahim Mumuni a Maniplast Limited driver, and Mr George Aryeetey both preferred GOIL but requested managers of GOIL to advise their fuel attendants to be courteous to customers to enhance the greatness of their services. GNA