Audio By Carbonatix
Several cars in the early hours of Friday were seen forcing their ways into the Airport Shell filling station to have their tanks filled with fuel.
As a result, the station’s compound including the entry and exit points was choked with a fleet of cars, causing very thick traffic from the AFGO stretch of the road through to the roundabout.
Both commercial and private drivers were seen loitering around in frustration while others stood patiently to be served.
The situation has since been blamed on the recurring fuel shortage in parts of the capital city and across the country.
Government owes the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) over GH¢1.5 billion and the Chief Executive Officer of the BDCs Chamber, Senyo Hosi recently cautioned that until that money was paid to allow them settle international suppliers, the situation would linger on.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Deputy Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson refuted claims that government was indebted to the BDCs in that magnitude, stressing, it only owed some GH¢304 million as a result of fuel subsidy.
Breaking down the figures to Joy News Night Wednesday, he explained that as at December last year, government owed the BDCs approximately GH¢204 million of which GH¢120 million has been paid with a balance of about GH¢84 million to be paid.
Despite the remaining balance to be paid, government, again, incurred an additional amount of GH¢220 million from January 2014 to date.
This, therefore increased the total outstanding debt owed the BDCs to GH¢304 million.
However, in the heat of events, Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga said President John Mahama has directed the Finance Minister, Seth Terkper to release $60 million to the BDCs.
The move, according to him, is to ensure there is enough fuel in the system.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Moses Asaga on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Friday alerted Ghanaians that government could not continue subsidizing petroleum prices and for that matter, they should brace themselves to be charged the right prices for petroleum products if they wanted constant supply.
Latest Stories
-
Fix Ghana Maritime Authority surveillance system instead of ‘threatening’ NPP – Dennis Aboagye tells NDC
9 minutes -
Poor land acquisition for development projects pushing people into poverty – Prof Helen Essandoh
10 minutes -
‘This is what we expect from a statesman’ – Brazilian President commends Mahama for leading global reparatory justice push
10 minutes -
Government would be helpless if it relies on NPP for drug intelligence – Miracles Aboagye
29 minutes -
The new frontline of peace: Information, Artificial Intelligence and the future of global security
30 minutes -
Feed Ghana Programme: Bono East Minister inspects ongoing Farmer Service Centre at Kintampo
31 minutes -
Dance creator Lisa Quama brings fashion, movement and African creative expression to New York’s global cultural stage
31 minutes -
Climate, conflict and the struggle for resources: Why peacebuilding must look beyond the battlefield
49 minutes -
NPP may be invited to clarify alleged drug laboratories – Rashid Tanko-Computer
50 minutes -
Government tackling drug trafficking head-on – Tanko-Computer assures
2 hours -
Climate, conflict and the struggle for resources: Why peacebuilding must look beyond the battlefield
2 hours -
GRAY Network’s Menstrual Health project transforms education in Central and South Tongu
2 hours -
Green finance goes beyond banks and big corporations to driving climate and environmental solutions – Nanabanyin Addo-Brown
2 hours -
The journey is short
2 hours -
Teacher unions give government September 24 deadline to resolve promotion arrears
2 hours