Ghana won’t face fuel queues; supply assured through December – CBOD

Ghana will not experience fuel queues through December, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Dr Patrick Kwaku Ofori, has assured.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, he said supply arrangements would keep fuel available for consumers and oil marketing companies.

“And we can also assure the consuming public and our partners, the oil marketing companies, that supply will never be an issue.”

Dr Ofori said cargo arrangements through December would protect Ghana from shortages experienced elsewhere.

“We can confidently say that by the end, up till now, till December, we're going to have all the cargo locked in.”

He said the deliveries would arrive safely and prevent queues at fuel stations.

His assurance comes amid what he described as a crisis. He said bulk oil distributors had continued to supply the domestic market, with major players serving Ghanaian consumers before considering exports.

“Almost all the big guys who were leading on the various leagues that were published have consistently served, and competed fairly and served the Ghanaian public before even thinking about exports into our neighbouring countries.”

Dr Ofori also linked consistent product availability to ethical business practices among CBOD members.

He said the chamber had been transparent with the regulator and exercised internal oversight to protect consumers.

“We even self-regulate ourselves and ensure that nobody takes advantage of the consuming public.”

Although disagreements could arise, he said distributors needed to sell products already imported and priced. That would allow them to recover their money and meet obligations to trading partners and banks financing their operations.

He maintained that CBOD members’ conduct, along with awareness among consumers and oil marketing companies, helped sustain fuel availability.