Asentehene speaks to petroleum sector chiefs
Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has made a clarion call to Chief Executive Officers in charge of petroleum sector institutions to bring sanity in the petroleum setor.
He called for effective collaboration between players in the petroleum sector in order to make them effective and efficient in product delivery and for accelerated economic growth.
Otumfuo was more particular about the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) ensuring the enforcement of safety standards at the pumps, citing recent gas explosions in the country and the attendant loss of lives and property as a great source of worry and reason why the Authority must take the issue of safety seriously.
The Asentehene assured the captains of the sector institutions of his availability to offer guidance, direction and advice as and when it is needed to enable the sector succeed.
During a courtesy visit at his Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo charged the new Managing Director for the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), Mr George Mensah Okley, to be focused and use his new office to bring sanity into the company.
Otumfuo asked the MD to be guided by recent events in the company that led to the dismissal of his predecessor and deal with the issues for a positive impact.
He encouraged Mr Okley to be disciplined and also seek the support of all stakeholders and players in the industry to ensure a successful management and growth of the company.
Mr Okley took over the mantle of leadership at BOST from Mr Alfred Obeng Boateng about a month ago. He was accompanied by some board members and management staff of BOST.
Mr Okley used the opportunity to outline his vision and goals for the company, saying he would change the face of BOST and make it one of the preferred oil storage companies in the country.
He also disclosed his intention of setting up a world-class trading department that would aim at expanding the company’s trading frontiers into the neighbouring countries.
Mr Okley said he would cooperate with key players in the midstream oil industry to ensure the security of fuel supply.
He added that he would construct a new office complex that would befit the status of BOST as a leading player in the petroleum industry.
The Asantehene also charged the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to liaise with other state agencies to deal with unauthorised siting of fuel stations, especially, in waterways.
“When issuing licenses, did you do due diligence? Are you ensuring fuel stations are cited in the right places? Please coordinate with district assemblies, waste management and other agencies to address these issues. It should be multi-faceted,” he told the NPA boss Hassan Tampuli and the board of the Authority who visited the King at the Menhyia Palace.
Residents of Anloga Junction and Daban have particularly blamed perennial floods on building fuel stations on waterways.