President Akufo-Addo has introduced nine safety measures to be implemented following the fatal gas explosion at Atomic Junction in Accra.
The nine safety measures were introduced after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2017.
As part of the new safety regulations, there is to be a deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards
This was contained in a statement from the presidency.
Read full statement below
On the evening of 7th October 2017, the nation was shaken by a horrible gas explosion at Atomic Junction in Accra, which led to the loss of seven lives, 132 injuries and the destruction of valuable property. In the past three years, we have been subjected to eight such incidents of explosions. This latest incident was one too many, which we must take all necessary steps to bring to an end.
The importance of gas, and its use in our national economy, requires that we must develop and enforce regulations and practices, and deploy technology to ensure the safe use of gas and safety of our citizens.
At the Cabinet meeting of 12th October 2017, the President of the Republic, on the advice of Cabinet, directed that henceforth the Cylinder Recirculation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution be implemented. This model means that LPG Bottling Plants will be sited away from congested commercial and population centers and will procure, brand, maintain and fill empty cylinders to be distributed to consumers and households through retail outlets. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas to vehicles. This whole exercise must be completed within one year.
In the interim, the President has directed that the following steps be taken to give comfort to and ensure the safety of our citizens:
1. immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the National Petroleum Authority;
2. review of the current licensing regime to ensure that only those with demonstrable capacity and competence engage in the LPG distribution business;
3. institution of mandatory training and certification of the staff of Regulators, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies to ensure the safe handling of LPG;
4. review the safety protocols along the entire value chain through the combined efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), National Fire Service (NFS), Town and Country Planning Department of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations;
5. deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards;
6. the immediate incorporation of standards and guidelines developed by Ghana Standards Authority on the handling, storage and distribution of LPG and other petroleum products as technical regulations to strengthen the enforcement regime;
7. the recruitment by NPA of 200 safety auditors to join the staff of the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to check regularly on all stations to ensure full compliance with safety standards and practices;
8. expedition of action by the Fire Service and the Police Service of on-going investigations. Any operator or regulatory official, against whom any act of criminal negligence is established, will face the full rigors of the law;
9. immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.
The safety of citizens is the paramount objective of Government, and the President will take all necessary steps to ensure that citizens are safe.
……signed……
Hon. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid
Minister for Information
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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I trust our president courage to fight improper station of gas stations as he is curtailing galamsey gradually.
Massa; what is your point !!!!!because mine point is that it will be difficult for Nana Addo to close these stations knowing the nature of Ghanaians ; they do not obey rules but believe in contacts and connections and protocols ; same with the two parties NPP or NDC BIG shots wwho ill prevet these tak force from doing their job.
@Tony the Bull. Please go and listen to Hon. Mahama Ayariga why he was unable to implement decisions after the June 3 disaster. The NDC never gave him the chance to implement what was required.
The govt should have been proactive in taking this decision long ago and not wait for the unfortunate to happen. They were rather interested in closing down Radio Stations and Banks
There is a gas filing ststion at poniman container junction by name GLOBAL GAS Which poses treat or danger to area folks and heavy human activity for which the area folks wish the authorities to come and inspect for their conviction.
panyin akasa awie final i trust u nana i know u will surely do it for ama ghana
Ask for nana i know you can do it, the way you handled Galamsey
Massa; here we go again !!!!! ; tons of law and laws but nobody obeys them ; it is all cheap talk ;talk ;talk and then it just goes quiet ; Chiefs; pastors; political king pins; church members ; political rabbits will start lobbying Mr Amewu and Nana Addo to ignore their stations just like the lad guards issues ; in a few weeks time all these strategies will be put into the dust bin ; THIS IS GHANA FOR YOU : IT IS ALL TALK _NANA ADDO CANT DO FOOOOOOKOOO TO OWNERS OF THESE STATIONS BECAUSE THEY CONTRIBUTE TO NPP ; NOBODY OBEYS THE LAWS IN GHANA BECAUSE GHANA IS A LAWLESS STATE !!!!!!!!