Shipping Companies Urged To Respect Gas Pipelines Protection Zones

The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company on Friday called on shipping companies to respect the Protection Zones established to prevent vessels from damaging the pipelines. Madam Harriet Wereko-Brobby, General Manager of the company, made the call at a press conference at Takoradi. The press conference was to brief the media on measures being taken to resuscitate gas supply after a shutdown of the operations of the company due to a damaged pipeline on the high seas at Togo. Madam Wereko-Brobby said the protection zones were agreed upon with stakeholders and that ships are not to anchor in the zone, which must be observed to safeguard the huge investment in the gas project. She said according to the Togolese maritime authorities and Navy, the pipeline was damaged by a ship during an engagement with the Navy, adding that, the ship has not been identified. Madam Wereko-Brobby said the company was mobilizing a ship and logistics to the scene of the accident to ascertain the extent of damage and carry out repair works. She said the company was doing everything possible to get back into operation as it was losing revenue because of the shutdown.