Tanker drivers appeal to TOR for parking lot
The Ghana Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Union (GPTDU), has appealed to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) management to reconsider its decision not to renew the parking agreement between the refinery and Global Haulage Limited.
Per the said agreement, petroleum tanker drivers use the TOR operational tanker park for waiting and loading of petroleum products.
In a press statement signed by its chairman, Mr Eric Teye Amoako, the union noted that “this agreement for usage of the TOR operational tanker park has been terminated and the petroleum tanker drivers are expected to vacate the said park by October 31, 2013”.
It added that the union was worried that if the park was not secured, or an alternative parking place was not found, they would be faced with the problem of parking their vehicles on the streets while awaiting their turn to load.
This, they said, would lead to a consequential traffic flow in the neighbourhood among other challenges.
The statement also called on TOR management to reverse its decision to barricade the frontage of the refinery.
The barricade, they noted “leaves inadequate space for the fleet of tankers with dire consequences for security, safety, and exist conveniences”.
The union therefore appealed to TOR, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders to take the necessary measures to address the issues in the interest of national development.
Meanwhile, Mrs Aba Lokko, Public Relations Officer, TOR, told the Ghana News Agency that the refinery in 2006 entered into a contract with the Global Haulage Limited to lease its land for the bulk road vehicles (petroleum tankers).
Mrs Lokko noted that the decision was to ensure the safety of TOR workers as well as that of the tankers at the expense of the refinery.
She added that even though the NPA has asked all bulk distributors to get a parking place for vehicles that load from them, the land acquired by TOR was being used as a central point for all the distributors.
According to her, TOR has had several consultations with all stakeholders concerning getting another place for the tankers when Global Haulage Limited decided to increase the rent due to the inability of the refinery to continue footing the bills involved.
She gave the assurance that TOR has acquired another plot of land opposite the current parking place for tankers that load from the refinery.
Mrs Lokko said the refinery has asked for a two-week grace period from Global Haulage Limited to allow it prepare the land.
Source: GNA