Tanker drivers in the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western North Regions have begun a three-day sit-down strike over alleged inaccuracies in the measurement and monitoring systems at the Kumasi Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).
The drivers claim the depot’s measuring meters have repeatedly failed internal tests conducted by drivers and other stakeholders, resulting in fuel shortages for which they say they are forced to bear the financial cost.
Vice Chairman of the Association, Dominic Brenya, said joint exercises involving transporters, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and tanker unions had established that drivers were not siphoning fuel, despite discrepancies recorded by the depot’s measuring systems.
“We have done exercises with transporters, the National Petroleum Authority, and tanker unions, which have shown that no one siphons fuel, but the measuring machines proved otherwise,” he said.
Mr Brenya said the discrepancies were placing a significant financial burden on drivers, despite the use of modern technology to monitor the movement of both drivers and petroleum products.
The drivers suspect that the technology used at the offloading point is either faulty or improperly calibrated. They are therefore calling on stakeholders to engage the government and take immediate steps to resolve the matter.
The association has also raised concerns about inefficiencies in the loading system at the Kumasi Depot, saying drivers are often subjected to prolonged delays due to inadequate loading facilities.
They further complained about a lack of adequate parking space at the depot, forcing haulage trucks to park on the shoulders of the road.
According to the drivers, the situation poses a serious risk to road users because the trucks transport highly flammable petroleum products. They also said the designated parking area provided by BOST is largely untarred and unsuitable for use.
The drivers are demanding the provision of proper sleeping facilities to ensure their safety while they wait to load their trucks.
They have vowed to maintain the sit-down strike until their concerns are addressed by BOST, the NPA and the government.
Management of BOST in Kumasi has declined to comment on the concerns.
The prolonged industrial action could, however, affect the distribution of petroleum products to filling stations and potentially result in supply shortfalls.