Regional News of Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Source: --

LPG shortage hits Northern Region

BY Alhassan M. Murtala-Tamale

An acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), has hit Tamale Metropolis and the entire Northern Region.

All the seven plants that supply gas in the Region are currently without gas, causing anxiety and fear among users of the product in these month of Ramadan where residents woke up early to prepare meals.

Many consumers of the product are seen daily moving their cylinders from one gas station to the other in search of the non existing product.

In an interview with one of the private suppliers of the product, Mr Mohammed Shaibu told THE INFORMER in Tamale that the shortage occurred last week and attributed the problem to have come from TOR, ‘’ currently gas is in short supply in the country and efforts were being made to get some as soon as possible’’ he held, but however failed to give a specific time.

Mr Shaibu said the Bulk Oil Traders, who are private suppliers of the product, do not also have gas. He indicated that a vessel with LPG would arrive in the country any time soon and that supply might reach the Northern sector next week.

He indicated that the Tamale GOIL Plant has a capacity of 22 tons, which supply in bulk to some independent consumers as well as sell to the public.

Some consumers in anger and frustration, who spoke to THE INFORMER, said they were very disappointed about the situation. They, therefore, appealed to TOR to expedite action in getting the product. When THE INFORMER visited the private LPG stations in the Metropolis, it saw notices such as “No Gas” boldly written for the public.