General News of Friday, 31 August 2012

Source: GNA

Liquified Petroleum Gas shortage hits Accra

A shortage of liquefied petroleum gas has hit some parts of Accra for weeks now, with many gas stations putting up signs reading, "No Gas".

Long queues of vehicles as well as domestic petroleum gas users had become a common sight at the gas stations where there is gas for customers.

Within the Madina, Ashaley Botwe and Adenta suburbs, most of the gas Stations visited by the Ghana News Agency had closed their premises with sign reading "No Gas".

Some of the stations with the “No Gas” signs were the Star Gas station at Ashaley Botwe, Superior Gas station at Adenta, and the Superior Gas station at the Social Welfare area at Madina.

Although there was gas supply at the Lone Star Gas station at Riis Junction, at Ashaley Botwe, there was a long queue of vehicles and domestic gas users.

The Zoom Lion gas station at Ashaley Botwe, however had normal gas supply, and did not have the long queue that characterized other stations.

Mr. Kofi Manu, an official at one of the gas stations told the GNA that the shortages were mainly due to delays in the delivery of the product to the gas stations whenever there was the need to replenish supplies.

Mr. Mensah Ampong, a taxi driver told the GNA that, "I once came all the way from Kaneshie to Ashaley Botwe, at Madina, because that was the only place I could find gas to buy.

He said he had to continue to Dodowa because there was none at Ashaley Botwe. “Unfortunately, I returned without any success because the gas got finished before I could be served."

Another said he had to borrow money to take care of his family because he had not moved his taxi due to the shortage of gas.

"My taxi uses only gas. These are hard times. I really don’t know what to do if I don’t get gas for my car."