The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (GNPTDU) has threatened to strike over the failure of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Energy Ministry to implement the loading and discharging manual for Bulk Vehicle Operators.
The union has given the NPA and the Energy Ministry until Thursday, May 17, to respond to their concerns.
The new manual, which is a guideline for professional standards in the transportation of petroleum product, is in accordance with international best practices to eliminate the potential dangers associated with petroleum products.
The drivers say the failure to enforce this is subtly making fuel purchasing companies employ unknown mechanisms to trade, a situation they bemoan will cripple their businesses.
George Nyaunu, the Chairman of the drivers union, said to Citi News about their frustrations: “underground shortages are becoming too much for us. Tanker drivers as a whole are not earning their salaries at the end of the month as we wait patiently without hearing from them. If he [the Energy Minister] does not respond to our challenges by Thursday [May, 17], then we will advise ourselves.”
Such plans also cover seat-positioning, the positioning of security signs on tanks; operations at the loading depot as well as health and safety measures.
They also deal with driving rules, defensive driving, general parking rules, adherence at the dealer-direct customer premises, off-loading and end of discharging.
Meanwhile, Citi News understands the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is scheduled to meet the drivers today [Tuesday] over the matter.
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By: Kojo Agyeman/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
