Tanker drivers begin three-day strike over fuel measurement concerns

Tanker drivers in the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western North regions have begun a three-day sit-down strike over concerns about fuel measurement systems at the Kumasi Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).

The Vice Chairman of the Association of Tanker Drivers, Dominic Brenya, said the strike began on Monday, August 17, 2026, following concerns over alleged inaccuracies in the measuring meters installed at the depot.

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According to him, the meters have failed several tests conducted by the drivers and other stakeholders, resulting in reported fuel shortages for which drivers are allegedly being held financially responsible.

“We have done exercises with transporters, the National Petroleum Authority and tanker unions, which have shown that no one siphons fuel, but the measuring machines proved otherwise,” he said.

Brenya said the situation had placed a significant financial burden on drivers, despite the introduction of modern technology to monitor drivers and track the movement of petroleum products.

He explained that even with the monitoring systems in place, the measuring machines continued to record shortages.

The drivers suspect that the technology at the offloading point may either be faulty or improperly calibrated.

They are therefore calling on BOST, the NPA and the government to urgently investigate and resolve the issue.

The Association of Tanker Drivers has also raised concerns about the loading system at the Kumasi Depot.

According to the drivers, inadequate loading facilities often result in long delays, while the lack of proper parking space forces them to park their trucks on the shoulders of the road while waiting to load.

They warned that the situation poses a serious risk to other road users because the trucks transport highly flammable petroleum products.

The drivers are also demanding proper sleeping facilities at the depot for those who have to wait for extended periods to load their trucks.

The association has vowed to maintain the sit-down strike until its concerns are addressed by BOST, the NPA and the government.

Management of BOST in Kumasi has declined to comment on the concerns raised by the drivers.

The strike, if prolonged, could disrupt the supply of petroleum products to filling stations in the affected regions.

ANAS/MA

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