Unlike other parts of the five northern regions grappling with fuel shortages, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region is experiencing an oversupply of petroleum products, leading to intense competition among fuel stations and sluggish sales.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Bolgatanga municipality are struggling to make sales due to the high availability of petrol and diesel. 3News’ Upper East Regional Correspondent, Tanko Mohammed Rabiu, reported from several fuel stations, noting that some stations remained empty while others recorded slow patronage despite having sufficient supplies.
The situation contrasts sharply with reports of fuel shortages in other parts of Northern Ghana, including Yendi and Damongo, where transport operators and residents have faced severe difficulties due to the unavailability of petrol and diesel.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) recently assured the public that efforts were underway to resolve the shortages affecting parts of the region.
Meanwhile, in Bolgatanga, the abundance of fuel has attracted dealers from neighbouring towns and districts. Some dealers arrive with yellow gallons to purchase petrol in bulk for resale in areas facing shortages.
According to Bright Botiba, a fuel attendant at Nasona Oil, the station has not experienced any fuel shortage. “Everything is going on well. We haven’t been short of fuel. Business is going on well over here. Although we have some fuel in our tank, we are expecting a tanker to come from Accra today or tomorrow, and surely they will come,” he said.
Residents, particularly commercial transport operators, have expressed satisfaction with the constant supply of petroleum products in the municipality. However, they urged the government to consider reducing fuel prices to enhance economic productivity.
The high availability of fuel has also raised concerns about smuggling. Some fuel station attendants noted that fuel dealers from other parts of the country take advantage of the situation to buy in bulk from Bolgatanga and transport it to areas experiencing shortages, where they sell at higher prices.
This dynamic underscores the uneven distribution of petroleum products across Northern Ghana, where some areas face shortages while others, like Bolgatanga, have more than enough supply.
The NPA’s recent efforts to address the shortages may help balance the distribution, but the current situation in Bolgatanga highlights the need for more coordinated measures to prevent smuggling and ensure equitable access to fuel across the region.
