The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has expressed concern over a rising trend of tanker drivers and their assistants leaving the petroleum haulage sector to engage in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking during a meeting with Parliament’s Energy Committee in Accra on Wednesday, April 22, NPA Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, revealed that the shift is largely driven by low earnings within the fuel transportation industry.
According to him, tanker drivers are increasingly losing their assistants, especially when they travel to mining communities to deliver petroleum products. He explained that many of these assistants choose to remain in such areas after discovering that illegal mining offers quicker and more lucrative financial returns.
“There’s a high attrition rate among experienced tanker drivers and mates. Anytime drivers return, they come with different assistants. What we have found is that when they go to mining communities to discharge petroleum products, they often lose one of their mates because the individuals believe galamsey is more profitable than being a driver’s mate,” he said.
Mr. Tameklo noted that the situation is taking a toll on operations within the downstream petroleum sector, as the continuous loss of experienced personnel is affecting efficiency and safety.
To address the challenge, he disclosed that the NPA is developing a new remuneration framework aimed at improving salaries and working conditions for tanker drivers. The initiative, he said, will standardise pay across the sector and make the job more attractive.
