Wa, Aug. 16, GNA - A gallon of petrol now sells at 10,000 cedis instead of 6,400 cedis in Wa, following an acute shortage of the product in the Upper West Region.

None of the fuel stations in the town has consignment, thus compelling drivers and motorcyclists to buy the product at secret locations from unauthorised dealers.

Alhaji Baba Imoru, Executive Member of the regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) told the Ghana News Agency at Wa, on Wednesday, that the situation was triggered off by rumours of an impending increase in the prices of petroleum products.

He said the illegal dealers were obtaining their supplies from outside, since drivers from neighbouring regions have not complained of any shortage in those places.

Mr Nuhu Mahama, Regional Industrial Relations Officer of GPRTU, said about 550 registered commercial vehicles operating in the region have been rendered immobile, thereby, stifling economic activities.

He advised drivers not to patronise black market fuel but report the unauthorised dealers to the secretariat so that they could also inform the security agencies.

Mr Hamid Abdul-Kalim, Manager of Elf Fuel Station at Wa, said the shortage is traceable to Buipe, where barges discharge fuel for distribution to the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.

"The only petrol we had, run out last Friday, while the little kerosene and diesel in stock are also depleting fast and the situation could worsen if no tanker arrives by the end of this week', he said.

The Elf Manager could not tell where the unauthorised fuel dealers were obtaining their consignment from because they never sold petrol in large quantities to individuals.

Mr Pascal Boroh, Manager of Goil Filling Station, said he placed orders two weeks ago but has not received any supply.

The Shell Filling Station at Wa has not sold any fuel for the past two months because of its indebtedness, Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Mahama, the manager said.