Tanker drivers call off strike

Several concerns of the Members of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU) which forced them to go on a sit-down strike have been met, Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Alhassan Tampuli, has said.

On Monday, 24 September 2018, they withdrew their services over what they described as the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) failure to address their concerns.

The drivers, numbering over 4,000, said they will park their tankers until the NPA addresses their concerns relating to their conditions of service and welfare. They have been protesting against the regulator’s failure to ensure the full implementation of the Petroleum Producers Transportation Delivery Retail and Loss Control Manual, which was formulated by the Energy Commission in 2004, a situation they say has resulted in a loss of earnings.

They further explained that not implementing the guidelines stipulated in the manual, was having dire consequences for them, as their salaries and remunerations are not paid by transporters.



A petition by the union to the Ministry of Energy has urged the government to ensure all fuel stations implement the guidelines.

Chairman of the Union, George Nyauno, told Class News that they will only return to work if the NPA acts on their demands.

The union of over 4,000 transporters of petrol, diesel and petroleum products, said they would suspend operations, citing poor working conditions and salary distortions, and vowed to remain on strike until the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) addressed their accusations of maltreatment.

However, a statement released by the NPA CEO said a meeting scheduled with the leadership of the association resulted in “an amicable outcome.”

“More than 80 per cent of their concerns have been addressed,” Tampuli said.