Pressure group the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has indicted government for its handling of issues related to the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The shortage of the product has reached crisis point to the distress of both domestic and commercial users. Many assurances from government sources that the situation will improve are yet to yield any results, with long queues at various distribution centres yet to dissipate. The shortage has been attributed to an abnormal increase in demand of the product due largely to the diversion from the use of petrol to LPG by commercial drivers. The government as part of measures to remedy the problem is contemplating a policy to remove subsidies on the product. At a press conference in Accra on Thursday AFAG said the erratic supply of LPG typifies the gross incompetence of the NDC government. “AFAG finds the current gas shortage and its persistent nature very worrisome. It is indicative of the short-sighted managerial outlook and ad hoc problem-solving technique of the Government when it comes to challenges facing the nation as in the case of gas supplies for domestic and industrial use," the group said. It charged government to live up to the promise of improving the lives of Ghanaians. The group said government should not deceive people into believing that the arrival of 1,500 metric tons of gas will be the panacea to the acute shortage, saying, Ghana’s daily consumption is 1,000 metric tons which means the recent arrival will only last for one and half days. AFAG again accused the Energy Minister of being incompetent in the handling of the crisis and demanded “an immediate and urgent explanation to this gas shortage debacle and the underlining steps taken by Government whether medium or long term geared towards a lasting solution.” Arnold Boateng, General Secretary of the group told a Joy News reporter shortly after the conference that the government must do away with the policy of sole-sourcing for the supply of gas which he blamed for the crisis. “The issue of sole-sourcing is ridiculous. An open market is going to allow other companies to come in. Competition will bring efficiency. It is a common sense business term. “Our issue is that the government must open up the gas supply market and allow other companies to also supply so that in effect we will be in a position to make sure that this issue of shortages will be averted." He stressed there are competent companies in the country which could supply gas adequately and reliably.