Many LPG retailers across the country remained closed as the operators started their strike to protest government’s decision to implement the cylinder recirculation policy.
The strike which has left customers in search of gas is intended to compel the government to reconsider the policy as they believe will collapse their businesses.
At most gas stations in Accra visited by Citi News reporters, customers were turned away as the facilities were locked.
In the Central Regional capital Cape Coast, private LPG stations refused to serve customers, causing pressure at the Pedu junction Goil LPG station.
When Citi News’ Joseph Ackon-Mensah visited the Goil station, customers from various parts of the capital had queued to be served.
A customer said, “I went to about two different places to get gas, and I realized that they were not serving us, so the taxi driver directed us here. When I got here, there is a queue, so I just joined. I’m hoping that I will get some. I didn’t even know there was a strike or anything like that.”
The Koforidua Goil gas station was the only retail outlet that was serving gas to customers. Some of the customers who spoke to Citi News’ Neil Nii Amartey Karnaku said they had been in a queue at the station since 4 am.
They lamented that other gas stations such as Lartey gas, Mamba gas, Magazine gas, Obaapa gas which also served them said they were not operating as a result of their strike action.
A taxi driver who spoke to Citi News said the strike action would have dire consequences on their business since a number of taxis in the town ran on gas.
“It will affect our business because if they say they will not sell gas to drivers, even the workers will suffer because there will be no taxi to take them to their workplace or anywhere. We will all suffer.”
In the Volta Region, almost all the private gas outlets were closed down. Citi News’ Volta Regional correspondent, King Nobert Akpablie said at major outlets such as Top Gas, Kings Gas, and Petrobay had indicated on signposts that they were not working.
The Regional Chairman of the LPG Operators Association, Mr Kartey Kumaji said about 62 stations across the region had closed their facilities to customers in solidarity with the national protest against the cylinder recirculation policy.
Meanwhile, the National Petroleum Authority has urged LPG consumers to visit any Goil gas station to be served since they are not on strike.
In a statement copied to citinewsroom.com, the NPA assured that public that they will not be a shortage of LPG in the country.
–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
