Participants at a Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) regional stakeholder engagement, have called on the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) not to give in to threats and blackmail by those opposed to the policy rollout.
The Ghana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Operators Association (GLiPGOA) is currently opposed to the policy implementation, insisting their businesses will collapse. But the NPA has insisted the policy will rather increase jobs and improve safety. An Accra High Court recently dismissed an injunction seeking to halt the regional engagements.
During a question and answer time at Bolgatanga in the Upper East region, the residents, most of whom said were confused about the policy, agreed the policy will help address the safety challenges in the sector. They also asked the NPA to decentralize the engagements, so those in the deep end of the communities will understand the policy.
In an initial address, CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hassan Tampuli, and reiterated government’s commitment to ensure the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) is fully implemented.
Mr. Tampuli said following consultations with industry stakeholders, consumers and interested parties, he is confident consumers can no longer tolerate any petroleum fires and, that is why those in opposition to it must take a second look at their position.
“We have had a number of consultations with Members of the Council of State, Members of the National House of Chiefs, The Asantehene, Parliament Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Regional Houses of Chiefs, residents of Nima and Kotobaabi, the people of Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Western region respectively, and the media in Volta, Eastern, Northern and Brong-Ahafo.”
Mr. Tampuli said too many lives have been lost in gas explosions and the situation has to change for the better.
“Indeed we cannot forget the unfortunate incident of June 3rd 2015 in which a number of lives were lost. Neither can we forget the infamous “Atomic Junction Gas explosion” which shook the country in the last quarter of 2017. Another avoidable gas explosion occurred at trinity gas station in Krofrom in the Ashanti region, killing two people, injuring several others and properties worth millions of cedis destroyed.”
He said lives cannot be lost at the expense of financial gains.
As part of the exercise, the NPA will commence a pilot program in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, Kade and Kwabibirem all in the Eastern region.
Vice Chairman of the LPG Marketers Association, Gabriel Kumi, who is on the regional tour with the NPA, said his outfit is fully behind the policy and urged participants to embrace it.
Participants at the engagement also had the opportunity to ask questions about the policy.
Discussion about this post