A growing dispute within the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union has seen some members demand an independent audit of the union’s affairs and the immediate organisation of elections to elect new executives.
The aggrieved tanker drivers, who spoke to the media in Tema, accused the current leadership of failing to adequately represent their interests, address welfare concerns and provide sufficient information on financial decisions affecting members.
They claimed the executives had remained in office for about one and a half years beyond their four-year mandate, arguing that the prolonged delay in organising elections had created frustration among drivers.
The drivers are therefore appealing to the mother union and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and ensure that the union’s financial and administrative affairs are properly reviewed ahead of the next elections.
One major concern raised by the drivers was an alleged increase in tolls paid at loading points from GH¢10 to GH¢20.
According to them, the increase was introduced without adequate consultation or explanation to members about how the additional revenue would be used.
“Things are going on that we are not happy about, so we want the current union to step aside so we have new ones. There is no accountability and no elections. It has elapsed for about one and a half years now,” one of the aggrieved drivers said.
Another driver questioned the rationale for the increase in loading-point tolls.
“The tolls we pay when going to load have been increased to GH¢20. We don’t know what money will be used for. There was no plan; it was increased from GH¢10 to GH¢20 just like that,” he said.
The drivers also complained about working conditions and what they described as unfair treatment at some loading depots, insisting that the union leadership must do more to protect their interests.
They maintained that the union’s constitution provides for elections every four years and argued that the failure to conduct the polls within the stipulated period undermined members’ confidence in the leadership.
Union leadership responds
Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, George Nyaunu, however, dismissed the allegations and expressed surprise at the concerns raised by the drivers.
He said the union had nothing to hide and urged any member with concerns about its operations to approach the leadership for clarification.
“I am surprised to hear this. I don’t know those people complaining. The union, our door is always open, so those who have issues can come and verify anything they want accounted for,” he said.
Mr Nyaunu further disclosed that the union had audited accounts covering the period from 2021 to 2024, which he said had been presented to members and accepted.
“As I speak to you now, these documents I have in my hands are the audited accounts from 2021 to 2024, and based on that, members have accepted it,” he stated.
On the delayed elections, the chairman said steps had already been taken to organise the next polls, explaining that an election committee had been constituted for that purpose.
“Our mandate is four years each. We are looking forward to the Electoral Commission within the union, but as the union chairman, I am not part of the committee,” Mr Nyaunu said.
He reiterated that the union remained open to members seeking clarification on its finances, administration and other matters, as efforts continue towards the conduct of the next elections.
