The Tanker Owners Union has raised concerns over the influx of tanker trucks owned by Chinese companies into Ghana.
In a letter to the National Petroleum Authority, the union stated that it had conducted checks which revealed that several tanker trucks had been imported into the country.
The union expressed its concern that this would affect the livelihood of Ghanaians.
The letter reads, “We believe that transportation of refined petroleum products in the country using BRVs Dilya in the downstream sector must be preserved for local Ghanaian businesses. Over the years many Ghanaians have invested heavily into this sector and have acquired great experience and skills in the sector that have contributed in no small way to our socio-economic development.
“This threat by a Chinese Company to enter into the sector will add practically no value to the sector other than deprive Ghanaian businesses and the livelihoods of the many Ghanaians that are in the fuel transportation value chain using BRVs, not to mention the further consequential effect on repatriation of profits and the value of the Cedi and also undermining the multiplier effect of profit retention on the local economy.
“With the emergence of Sentuo Refinery which may supply over half of the volumes of the entire economy if a Chinese Company is allowed to haul petroleum products, this would have a devastating effect on Ghanaian businesses in the Downstream Industry. We serve this notice to you as the industry regulator that our Union takes a very serious view of.”
