Some owners of fuel filling stations within the Bono Region have called for support from government to secure their operations in the night.
They contend that operating round the clock is difficult due to security concerns
Fuel filling station operators within the Berekum East Municipal say they want government to help them to “serve our customers during the night.”
The hope of the filling stations is very high to boost the socio-economic activities within the area, if the opportunity is given to them to be signed unto the 24-hour economy policy.
The 24-hour economy policy which was launched by the President John Mahama, is intended to provide more jobs to the unemployed youth, reducing importation and to increase exportation drive for the growth of the Ghanaian economy and businesses.
Berekum East Municipal, due to its location, has become the center of the Bono region, which is striving in businesses and vehicles enroute from Cote’ d’Ivoire passes through the area to the southern sector of this country
With the implementation of the policy, it will be beneficial to both Ghanaians and foreigners if the fuel filling stations operate 24 hours.
Nicholas Gyamfi, a fuel station manager explained that, “the 24-hour economy policy will augment their operation to run different shifts to boost the sector only if security will be provided.”
He added that, “without an improved security to protect them, we won’t be able to serve our customers in the night..
The Safety Captain at the Berekum branch of the Goil Filling station, Opoku Isaac said, “the implementation of the policy will create opportunities to employ more youth in their sector, hence there is the need for the government to come to their aid by way of supporting them with security personnel during the night.”
Additionally, he said, armed robbers have been their biggest problem in the filling station business. Therefore, the government should do well to enroll the stations to the 24-hour economy policy “to reduce the burden of denying our customers fuel during the night.”
A manager at the Gaso filling station, Zacharia Suleiman, emphasised that, quite apart from the security challenges in their operations and without proper security personnel, it will be difficult for them to work to support the 24-hour economy.
“Regular electricity supply will also be an added value to us since power fluctuations has been a major concern,” he added.
Speaking on the 24-hour economy policy, some drivers were glad that, “the introduction of the 24-hour economy will not only benefit the stations, but the drivers as well.”
