Following persistent calls on the government to review the prices of petroleum products, due to the slump in world prices of the commodity, the former decided to reduce the ex-pump price of petrol, diesel and kerosene among other crude oil products, last week Friday.

Unfortunately, the downward review of the prices did not go down well with those who retail the commodity. Since Friday, some of the fuel stations have refused to sell petrol to consumers, claiming that they have run out of stock.

The situation worsened on Friday night, as both commercial and private car drivers were seen jumping from one fuel station to the other, in search of the commodity.

Interestingly, there were reports that some of the stations, who claimed they had run out of stock, were seen selling petrol to people who were familiar with them. The Chronicle's own monitoring revealed that fuel stations such Shell on the Motorway Extension and near the Tetteh Quashie Interchange and all the three at Legon, claimed they did not have fuel, and turned away hundreds of drivers who were looking for fuel to buy that night.

Interestingly, some of the aforementioned fuel stations, which claimed they did not have petrol, were seen the following morning (yesterday) selling the product to the public especially their cronies. So far, The Chronicle does not have the evidence that the fuel stations were hoarding the commodity, but we think the authorities concerned must investigate them, to ascertain whether they did indeed run out of stock during the day in question, or they were playing a game of mischief.

We concede that private individuals own these fuel stations, but so long as they are providing public services, they have no justification to refuse selling the commodity to the public.

Fuel stations across the country enjoy huge profits anytime the prices of the product is adjusted upwards, but when it is reduced, they don't have the same enthusiasm to serve the public, which to us is very unfortunate. We do not want to believe that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), or whoever is concerned, has relaxed its disciplinary rod, thus allowing the fuel stations to have their way.

We think what happened during and the beginning of the week, must not be allowed to happen again. The government must always intervene to ensure that the consumer of the product does not cheat the seller and vice versa.