Ghana's Energy Ministry has assured consumers that about 34 million litres of diesel have been pumped into the system at Tema for onward transmission to retail points.

Some pump stations in parts of the country have run out of diesel following an impasse between the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) and commercial banks, who finance the companies through Letters of Credit.

The banks say they can no longer front for the oil distribution firms due to increased indebtedness on the part of the importers.

In the face of an artificial shortage in the Northern, Volta, Ashanti and Western Regions, Deputy Energy Minister, Benjamin Dagadu, has assured Ghanaians that government is in control to deal with any fuel scarcity, at least, in the next one week.

“As we speak, from Tema there is 34 million litres of diesel being pumped into the system, which will be enough for one week,” he told private FM station, Citi.

“We have directed OMCs [Oil Marketing Companies of Ghana] covering a lot of areas in Kumasi, Takoradi and Ho, to be filled first, then we can take care of Greater Accra and the rest. We also have for the mines six million liters at Takoradi.”