Ghana: Tanker Drivers Threaten To Boycott TOR Over Poor Parking Space

A cross-section of tanker drivers who lift petroleum products from Ghana’s only refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), have threatened to stop operation if management of the facility fails to fix its deplorable parking space.

The drivers, on Monday, parked their gas and oil tanker vehicles at the TOR tanker park for hours even when some of their leaders informed them about the refinery’s preparations to work on the park.

According to them, the clay park and passage to the loading gantry, which is about two kilometers, has deep gullies with exposed stones, which become very slippery and risky whenever it rained.

Mr George Nyaunu, Chairman of the National Ghana Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, told the media that the nature of the park made it difficult for them to commute smoothly to the gantry, a situation he described as very risky.

Mr Nyuanu explained that, even though the tankers park and drove to the gantry empty, it could explode when the master pin detaches and causes it to topple over in the process of keeping sturdy on the slippery galley-riddled park.

He noted that authorities must not wait for such an incident to occur before responding to their needs, stressing that any explosion from a tanker due to the deplorable nature of the park could jeopardize the entire refinery.

He indicated that their action was not politically motivated, therefore, government should see it as an opportunity to fix the park for the general good instead of painting them in other party colours.

According to him, they had written several letters to the management of TOR, but were yet to get favourable response hence their action, adding that their last letter to TOR was on July 2, 2019, giving them “a seven-day ultimatum to find an amicable solution to the problem. Failure to adhere to this letter, the drivers will advise themselves”.

Mr Shafiu Mohammed, Chairman of the Gas Tanker Drivers Union, on his part, questioned why there were no sheds for waiting drivers, adding that drivers did not even have a place of convenience.

Mr Mohammed added that it was disheartening for them to be treated without dignity as they had to hide in their tankers whenever it rained.

Mr Moses Kwaku Otoo, an officer of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), the mother union of the drivers, appealed to the management of TOR to urgently shapen the park and provide the needed amenities to ensure the safety of drivers, trucks and the refinery.

Meanwhile, Dr Kingsley Antwi-Boasiako, Public Affairs Manager of TOR, says his outfit shared the plight of the drivers and had been interacting with them on the best way to repair the park and the road.

Dr Antwi-Boasiako added that TOR was committed to a safe and smooth transportation of petroleum products from the refinery.

He indicated that they were currently mobilizing logistics including trucks and bulldozers, to begin work on the park and the road leading to the gantry.

Source:GNA