Another Fuel Shortage?

The Kintampo Municipality has, since Tuesday August 4 this year, been hit with a fuel shortage which has affected economic activities in the area. Drivers were seen holding jerry cans and moving from one fuel station to the other struggling to get fuel, but all to no avail. Some irate drivers accused managers of the fuel stations of hoarding the product in anticipation of a price increase. The managers, however, rebutted the allegations, and explained that orders had been placed and that they were awaiting delivery. The ‘Gawo’ (non-mechanised) fuel stations which appear to have the products, are also cashing in on the situation by increasing the price per gallon from GH¢5, GH¢6 and GH¢7 respectively. At Ntankoro ‘gawo’ fuel filling station, the attendants were using the large sized tomato puree cans as the equivalent of a gallon, which was being sold to the public at GH¢7. When this reporter contacted the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kintampo, Mr. Alhassan Seidu Harrison, on measures his outfit had taken to deal with the situation, especially the overpricing of the product, he directed him to talk to the Works Committee Chairman of the Municipal Assembly, Mr. Ali Nkrumah, since he had just returned from a trip, and was yet to be briefed on the situation. Mr. Ali Nkrumah admitted that there were shortages in some filling stations in the municipality, but was quick to contend that the situation was not as serious as being speculated. According to him, the issue of the ‘Gawo’ filling stations inflating the prices of the commodity was uncalled for, promising that the assembly would investigate, and that anyone found culpable, would be dealt with according to the law. He urged the public to exercise patience as the government was doing everything possible to help rectify the situation. The Chronicle gathered that in the Jaman North and South Districts of the region the situation was the same, as vehicle operators and owners were left stranded with the fuel shortage syndrome.