General News of Thursday, 16 February 2006

Source: GNA

Candles and torch-lights replace kerosene

Ho, Feb. 16, GNA - Candles and torch-lights are to the rescue of users of kerosene in the Ho municipality due to the shortage of kerosene that has hit the municipality for the past three months. Kerosene users in the municipality are still found with gallons combing filling stations in the municipality to no avail, in search of the commodity.

Due to the high demand for the commodity, the price per a gallon rose to between 30,000 and 35,000 cedis, instead of the approved price of 22,000 cedis.

The shortage is telling on the day-to-day activities of individuals and communities, who for one reason or the other do not have electricity, though near to the Akosombo Hydro-Power. Most villagers interviewed appealed to the government to intervene in time to save the situation, since some dealers were taking advantage of the situation to overprice the commodity.

Meanwhile, some managers of filling stations the Ghana News Agency (GNA) interviewed in the municipality said they do not know the cause of the shortage but however, expressed the hope that the situation would soon be normalized.