A planned protest by Association of Gas Tanker Drivers has been suspended following the Energy Ministry’s withdrawal of the draft national LPG policy.
The Association of Gas Tanker Drivers last week warned that they will embark on a nationwide strike if the National Petroleum Authority(NPA) fails to withdraw the Cylinder re-circulation model, an aspect of the draft national LPG policy expected to be rolled out in September this year.
The group vowed to resist the policy because it threatens the survival of their business if allowed to be implemented.
A letter signed by the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Lawrence Apaalsethe and sighted by Kasapafmonline.com announced the suspension of the said policy for further consultations.
“We have taken note of the progress made so far by the Ministerial sub-committee from under the NPA to review the above policy. We have also taken note of the challenges faced by the sub-committee in the completion of its work as well as the concerns raised by LPGMCs and Tanker Drivers’ Union on the policy.”
“In view of the above, the Ministry wishes to recall the draft National LPG policy for further consultations with all relevant stakeholders especially LPGMCs and Tanker Drivers,” the statement added.
It is obvious that the massive opposition by the stakeholders regarding the policy has pushed the government to pull the brakes on the policy implementation.
Following the recall of the LPG policy by government, the Gas Tanker Drivers Association Thursday told the media it has suspended its national strike for further talks.
But the Public Relations officer for the group, Bernard Owiredu Donkor said the strike would be re-launched, if the consultations do not lead to progress.
“I don’t think they will do a u-turn. Should they do that definitely will go back to our plans and probably even increase our actions in respect of what they’ve intended to do. We believe that the government has spoken and the government has decided to recall the entire policy based on our concerns.We welcome the move and we are hoping that just as the communication has put out there, we’ll be partakers in making this policy.”
