Adnan Adams Mohammed
The five years old ban on construction of new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stations in the country since 2017, has been lifted last week.
The National Petroleum Authority announced the lifting of ban as an emergency solution to end a strike action by Gas tanker drivers and LPG Marketing Companies which led to the scarcity of gas for domestic and commercial use across the country.
The striking drivers and LPG marketers, apart from their poor working conditions, they also cited the ban on the construction of gas stations across the country as a major reason for their strike.They threatened not to return to work until their grievances were addressed.
“Cabinet has granted a special dispensation to allow the completion of the construction of stranded LPG stations across the country”, the NPA stated in a press statement last week.
The NPA has asked all Oil Marketing Companies and LPG companies to begin processes for approval to continue their construction works.
“We are, therefore, requesting all OMCs/LPGMCs who were affected by this directive to resubmit their applications to the Authority”, the statement added.
Following the Atomic Gas Explosion that killed at least 7 people and injured 132 in Accra, Government after a crucial cabinet meeting, announced a number of directives, about ten of them, geared towards sanitizing the fuel distribution and retail sector, to improve safety and save more lives.
One of the decisions, as approved by the President, was an immediate cessation of the construction of new fuel stations, to allow the NPA and its allied agencies, to carry out a proper audit of all the facilities.
The President also ordered the implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas distribution within a year.
The module, proposed by NPA, will ensure that LPG filling points are sited out of densely populated areas and commercial centres.
According to the statement signed by the Chief Executive of the NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, “We are pleased to inform you that Cabinet at its 35th Sitting, held on August 3rd 2022, has granted a special dispensation to allow the completion of the construction of stranded LPG stations across the country, that were affected by the ban on the construction and operation of new LPG facilities in 2017.”
Mr Hamid urged all entities affected by the ban to resubmit their applications to the NPA.
The Tanker Drivers and LPG Marketing Companies have consequently called of their strike.
The Ghana National Tanker Drivers Association had complained about its working conditions and treatment from the authority and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company.
The drivers also raised concerns with the seals and tracking devices that check the integrity of the fuel in the transportation process.
