The Ministry of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revoked the license of some fuel stations in the Western Region.
Two other fillings stations have also had their operating permits suspended for failing to comply with safety standards.
According to the Deputy Minister for MESTI, Dr. Alfred Tia Sugri, this was part of a nationwide monitoring of fuel and gas stations following the June 3 explosion that claimed the lives of over 150 people at Circle in Accra.
The joint team bemoaned the situation in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis where new filling stations are constructed with no safety standards.
One of such newly built station is located some few meters away from the Sekondi Central Prisons.
Contractors at this site had earlier denied that this place will be used as a fuel station.
But at the site, the regional EPA officials confirmed the place is meant for a filling station by AI Energy.
Dr. Alfred Tia Sugri who was not enthused about the location of the filling station ordered that the permit of the station be revoked.
He said, “We cannot allow this project to go on when just some few meters away is the Central Prisons. It is also just a fenced wall that separates it from the huge church building. Opposite it is also a cluster of schools. The company can use it for offices but not a filling station.”
At the Effia Industrial enclave, the EPA had temporarily suspended the operations of Tropic Gas filling station.
This gas station has also been operating for many years close a welding and fabrication shop.
Dr. Tia Sugri also ordered the EPA to “continue holding on to the operating license until those fabricators who use open fire for their operations are relocated.”
Meanwhile things were worse at the famous Goil station at Edzii close to the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout in Takoradi.
The Chief Program Officer Mr. William Hayfron Acquah at the EPA headquarters in Accra was surprised at the turn of event at one of the state’s famous oil companies in the western region.
“It is surprising because this filling station has been here since 1966 but the safety practices here are not respected. The manageress here told me they have been inspecting their observation wells on daily basis but when we check, they have not been checked for days.
Another thing is the magnitude of cracks on their tank farms. Cracks are everywhere. I also asked her to show me their fire and smoke detectors which she earlier told me they have but when we checked, it turned out that all of them are not working.”
Deputy Minister Dr. Alfred Tia Sugri who was frustrated that even though the station has no documents it is being supplied products.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana