Fuel shortage threatens Ghana as oil transporters protest foreign involvement

A looming fuel shortage crisis is on the horizon for Ghana as the Tanker Owners Union, responsible for the transportation of petroleum products across the country, threatens to halt their services. The union claims that foreign nationals, particularly a Chinese firm involved in the construction of an Oil Refinery at Tema, Sentuo, have encroached upon their territory.

Under the local content law and the deregulation of the petroleum sector, the exclusive right to transport petroleum products across Ghana is reserved for indigenous Ghanaian companies. However, the Tanker Owners Union has raised concerns about Sentuo, alleging that it has brought its tankers to offload petroleum products locally, infringing upon the privileges of Ghanaian firms.

Kwame Jantuah, a member of the union, expressed their discontent, stating that if corrective measures are not taken promptly, they will have no choice but to withdraw their services. Jantuah warned that such a move “will obviously bring shortages of fuel in the country.”

Jantuah further questioned the motives behind Sentuo’s actions, pointing out that even major international companies like Shell and BP rely on local transporters to move their fuel.

He asked, “So why should the refinery now say that they have their tankers and distributing? Do TOR, NPA, and BDCs have their own tankers? They all depend on us, so if you are coming in, you are going to kill our business and we have to fight for it.”

The situation is compounded by the fact that many union members have taken loans to purchase trucks used for transporting fuel. With over 5,000 of their tankers now idle due to insufficient fuel to transport, their frustration is palpable.

In light of these developments, the Tanker Owners Union has called upon the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to take swift action to prevent a looming national crisis. Meanwhile, happyghana.com has gathered that the NPA is already engaging with relevant stakeholders to address the issue and find a resolution.