The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro, Alexander Akuoko, argues Ghana Oil (GOIL), has always been used by government to regulate the prices of fuel.
According to him, GOIL has been strategically placed as a price stabilizer because of the government’s share (51%) “And they use that to influence the pricing of other OMCs.”
GOIL Company Limited has reduced fuel prices by 15 pesewas following a government directive.
The directive followed a meeting between a government team and transport unions last Monday as part of efforts to end the sit down strike embarked on by private transport owners which left commuters stranded.
The price reduction came into effect yesterday, Tuesday, with a litre of petrol now selling at GH¢6.70 from GH¢6.85.
In a panel discussion on the Epa Hoa Daben political talk show with Happy98.9FM’s Don Kwabena Prah, Alexander Akuoko said, “the strike embarked on by drivers on Monday was easily avoidable and we shouldn’t have waited for the strike before gov’t reduced fuel prices at GOIL. So if the gov’t knew it could work behind the scenes to help drivers why didn’t it do so early?”
Describing the suffering of Ghanaians during the sit down strike as needless, he noted, “It looks like the gov’t loves to see its people take drastic actions before taking steps to alleviate their pain.”
He however pointed out that government’s intervention is not enough and will end up causing more problems. “With the 15 pesewas reduction, a lot of petroleum consumers will shift to GOIL and the other OMCs might suffer momentarily. But if GOIL runs out of stock, it will be a huge source of worry to Ghanaians.”
