Tanker Drivers Strike: 5 Arrested; 2 Shot

The Ghana Police Service has arrested five people during a brawl amidst a sit-down strike by the members of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU) on Monday, 24 September 2018.

GNPTDU withdrew their services over what they described as the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) failure to address their concerns.

However, a rival group which did not participate in the strike went to fill their trucks with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

This infuriated the group’s striking counterparts who tried to stop their colleagues from defying the strike directives.

A confrontation ensued that led to chaos, compelling the police to intervene.

In the course of the commotion, two individuals were hit by stray bullets from the police team who attempted to fire warning shots to disperse the two groups.

The tanker drivers 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 loss of earnings.

They further explained that not implementing the guidelines stipulated in the manual, was having dire consequences on 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.

Source: classfmonline