Expect gas shortages and price hikes next week—LPG marketers caution 

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers Association of Ghana is sounding an alarm over potential gas shortages from next week.

This concern arises from dwindling LPG reserves and new import regulations imposed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

Additionally, the association anticipates price increases due to recent trends in the international market.

In an interview, Vice President Gabriel Kumi noted that the current stock of LPG is only sufficient for about a week.

“There is a lot of shortage in the system. This 10,000mt that has come in will be exhausted by the end of the week. If measures are not taken to bring in another vessel of gas by next week, we shall be in a very serious shortage situation,” he warned.

He emphasized that the outlook is challenging due to fluctuating international prices for LPG.

“Currently, the Atuabo Gas Plant is unable to meet the association’s demand, which has led marketers to rely entirely on imports.

Unfortunately, Atuabo, which typically supplies 45 to 50 per cent of the nation’s LPG needs, has been underperforming”.

For the past month, there have been no supplies from Atuabo, leaving marketers dependent solely on imports.

“We believe that the only way to avert the shortage is for the NPA to tell the BDCs to bring in the products as quickly as possible so that we can serve the general public,” he suggested.

Mr. Kumi pointed out that the situation could be resolved and the gas supply improved by the NPA acting on recommendations put forward by LPG marketers.

On September 26, 2024, parts of the country experienced LPG shortages.