LPG marketers in the country say they are ready to negotiate with the government over the implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation policy among other gas-related policies in the country.
According to the marketers, they believe that as major stakeholders in the industry, they must contribute to the development and implementation of any major policy for the industry.
[contextly_sidebar id=”9GJQfHVvYKX4iLov3Ql50orGi37xDxvp”]The Spokesperson of the LPG marketers, Kwame Owiredu, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, said the Association has resolved to resume negotiations with the government on the matter, and it will make its concerns known to the government for a possible compromise.
The Cylinder Re-circulation program proposed by the government is expected to make the sale of LPG the reserve of very few companies with huge storage facilities across the country.
Per the policy, all gas cylinders will be filled by cylinder bottling plants for onward delivery to retail outlets instead of the LPG outlets, to improve safety of LPG as well as increase access.
There are fears that the program will throw LPG stations out of business.
The LPG Marketers Association who previously opposed vehemently to the program, appears to have softened their stance on the matter.
Kwame Owiredu said, “We’ve met with the entire membership and there are some decisions we have taken. We have resolved that we are going to go back to the implementation committee which is going to see to the implementation of the new LPG policy rolled out by the government. We’ve also agreed to be part of the committee which will meet the committee on Mines and Energy in Parliament today [Thursday]. We believe that we are industry players and we need to work together for the progress of the industry.”
He added that “it has been a win-win situation [with the government]. We are going back to shape up the policy on LPG in this country and not necessarily implementing Cylinder Re-circulation Module. We are going to give them our knowledge in the industry so that we are part of the full policy and not as if we’ve been left out. Our input will help shape up any policy for LPG circulation in Ghana.”
We’re still opposed to Cylinder Recirculation Module
Kwame Owiredu said despite the association’s resolution, it is still opposed to the Cylinder Recirculation program.
“It is not as if we have agreed to the Cylinder Re-circulation Module, the reason we have decided to be part of the policy is that, if there is any policy on LPG, we as industry players must be partakers. We will meet the committee to tell then our challenges and the fact that we are ready for negotiation,” he said.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana