The three-day sit-down strike by members of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has heightened concerns over possible disruptions to petroleum product distribution across the country.
The drivers began the industrial action to draw attention to what they describe as deplorable and unsafe conditions at the yard where they park their trucks near the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Kumasi Depot.
The union says the condition of the facility has deteriorated significantly, particularly during the rainy season, posing safety risks to drivers and making operations increasingly difficult.
Beyond the state of the yard, the drivers have raised concerns about persistent shortages of petroleum products recorded when tankers offload at the depot.
They blame the shortages on faults in machinery and equipment used to discharge fuel from the tankers, saying the situation has affected their operations and created additional challenges for drivers.
According to the union, several engagements with BOST management and officials have been held in an attempt to resolve the problems, but the concerns remain largely unaddressed.
Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, Dominic Brenya, said the drivers would maintain the industrial action until concrete measures are taken to resolve their grievances.
The strike has triggered concerns within the petroleum distribution chain, particularly over its potential impact on fuel transportation from the Kumasi Depot to various parts of the country.
Industry watchers fear that if the action extends beyond the planned three days, it could disrupt the movement of petroleum products and eventually contribute to fuel shortages in some parts of the country.
The union is therefore calling for urgent intervention to address the condition of the parking yard, repair faulty equipment and resolve the challenges associated with fuel offloading at the depot.
The drivers maintain that their action is intended to compel the relevant authorities to address long-standing operational and safety concerns before they worsen.
