Mfansteman, Gomoa Districts short of kerosene

Mankessim, Feb 13, GNA - An acute shortage of kerosene has hit the Mfantseman and Gomoa Districts of the Central Region for the past two weeks.

People in the two districts, especially those in rural areas, who use the commodity as a source of energy, are badly affected with a gallon being sold at between 40,000 and 50,000 cedis by dealers at Mankessim who managed to get some kerosene last week. The product was also difficult to come by at Apam even though a bottle was being sold at 8,000 cedis.

Containers supplied by the government to some rural communities for the storage and sale of kerosene were all empty.

Kerosene users are now relying on gasoline. Mr Shaibu Asiedu, an executive member of Mankessim Number Three branch of the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU) speaking to the GNA on the shortage expressed fears that the use of gasoline for domestic purposes could create a shortage of the commodity, which would affect drivers and commuters. Mr Asiedu appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure regular supply since those who relied on the sale of the commodity were out of business.

Petrol filling stations and kerosene sales outlets the GNA visited in the two districts could not explain what had caused for the shortage and just said their orders had not been supplied.