Fuel Price Increase: It Almost Turned Into A ‘3rd World War’ When I Bought Fuel At A Station – Adansi Asokwah MP

The recent increase in fuel prices is hitting the pockets of people in high places including lawmakers.

Diesel is currently selling for more than ₵23 whilst the price of petrol is hovering around ₵18.

Speaking to JoyNews at Parliament on Thursday, Adansi Asokwah MP, K.T Hammond revealed he nearly fought with a fuel attendant when he purchased fuel and the price had almost doubled.

The MP lamented the current hardship the fuel price increment has brought to Ghanaians.

“A few days ago, I went to the garage, they pumped the fuel into the car and they came to give me the bill, it almost turned into a third world war at the station. I asked why is he giving me this? and he said just yesterday price of Super moved to what the price of diesel used to be.

“It is a particularly difficult situation and I do not envy the lot. Those who are really having to juggle,” he said.

He, however, said Ghanaians are better off since we do not have to queue to get fuel as it is happening in other countries.

“It is not a situation peculiar to only Ghana. We have heard about the situation in Sri Lanka. It is a redeeming situation for those of us in Ghana. At least, we are not in long queues. Oil-producing countries like Nigeria and others are all in queues, we are not.”

The Mines and Energy Committee member attributed the current price hikes to Oil Marketing Companies and Bulk Distribution Companies trying to make astronomical profits. He nonetheless did not rule out the poor performance of the cedi as a factor.

“It’s the OMC, the big ones and the BDCs. I have a problem and they better sort it out well. They got the dollar at whatever rate so somebody should pay for it…I am concerned that some OMCs are making unnecessary profits and I think we should be careful how they are also playing the market, we are in this together,” he stated.

According to him, he is completely against removing taxes and other margins on the fuel price build-up.

He stressed that there are serious governmental efforts underway to ease the pressure in the system.

“President is travelled out of the country many times and sent out a delegation to make sure that in a very short time we would be able to flood the market with some petroleum products. I am not happy with the way the BDCs are going about this situation,” he added.