Gas station attendants will also be certified after the training to indicate their qualification to serve at the fuel stations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”IWOhUA7sbJ9aOp5beveXBE7doPh94M2B”]According to Prince Billy Anaglate, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, the move is part of major plans by the Service to guarantee optimum safety at fuel stations to avert any fire disaster.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, he noted that, the previous system of certifying companies as a whole did not enhance proper assessment of staff of their qualification to operate at the station.

“We would also move ahead to intensify our fire safety education to the gas attendants, the tanker drivers, and their mates, to give them individual fire certificates. Unlike previously when we were given just the certificate to the companies, to certify that the workers of the company have been taken through fire safety education. This system has never been able to enable us to assess people who have been trained or those who have not been trained,” he said.

“With this new introduction, when we have our snap check on the stations, we will ask any worker there to produce their certificate, if you fail to produce it then it means you are not qualified to be on the ground and that fuel station will be sanctioned,” he added.

Mr. Anaglate added that, the Fire Service will ensure that there is supervision of all gas offloading processes in the country.

“We would ensure that before any gas station offloads gas, we would be informed to make sure that we either send a tender to give fire cover or we send a fireman to be on the ground to ensure that safety measures are adhered to,” he said.

Meanwhile, a preliminary report of the GNFS on the recent Atomic junction gas explosion shows that, the gas tanker driver and his mate were negligent in the discharge of their duties hence the explosion.

At least 7 people died with more than 130 others injured as a result of the explosion which occurred last week.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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It said the ban must be sustained at least until the appropriate state agencies enforce rules that guarantee the safety of gas companies’ operations.

In a statement copied to citifmonline.com, OccupyGhana lamented that, there had been 8 major gas explosions in the country within four years, adding that regulators needed to “produce a permanent solution to this issue.”

“OccupyGhana® would recommend the banning of all on-site dispensing of gas. We side with the decision of the National Petroleum Authority to regulate the downstream gas distribution by phasing out refilling of LPG gas at LPG dispensing stations. Thus, instead of having LPG dispensing outlets, all gas cylinders will be filled by cylinder bottling plants for onward distribution to retail outlets,” it said.

A gas explosion that occurred at Atomic Junction near Madina in Accra last Saturday, killed 7 people with over 130 people injured.

The incident has renewed discussions around the safety of citizens, following the influx of gas stations across the country, with most being sited very close to residential facilities.

OccupyGhana in its statement said regulators must have the “strictest of safety standards, and regulate the siting or existence of these dispensing stations, and most importantly, the discharge of gas from tankers into the site storage tanks.”

According to OccupyGhana, periodic and unannounced stress testing must be conducted at gas stations. It also added that residents living in close proximity of gas stations must be trained alongside staff of gas companies for evacuation steps in case such as the explosion that occurred over the weekend.

It said until such steps are undertaken, there must be no on-site gas dispensing.

Read OccupyGhana’s statement below:

The explosion and fire that occurred at the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dispensing station at the Atomic Junction on the night of October 7th, 2017, is another reminder that the Government and the regulators it appoints need to produce a permanent solution to this issue. There have been eight reported gas explosions within the last 3 years. These are eight occurrences too many.

The fact that several of these LPG dispensing stations are sited in close proximity to markets, chop-bars, shops, lorry stations, and residential areas causing residents to complain, means we have a major problem with adherence to our zoning laws. It also means that we should have the strictest of safety standards, and regulate the siting or existence of these dispensing stations, and most importantly, the discharge of gas from tankers into the site storage tanks. It is critical that the industry players adhere to strict safety rules, comply with standard operating procedures, and have both a perfect maintenance culture and adequately trained staff. There must be periodic, routine and unannounced stress testing and drills including evacuation procedures. Clearly, this training must go beyond the staff to others living or operating in close proximity to these dispensing stations.

We must have and enforce rules that treat the tankers that carry the gas for dispensing almost as ‘weaponised trucks’ that must obtain and maintain special permits and pressure gauges that will indicate if there are any leakages at any time during the transport and discharge.

Until these measures are tried, tested, and put in place, OccupyGhana® would recommend the banning of all on-site dispensing of gas. We side with the decision of the National Petroleum Authority to regulate the downstream gas distribution by phasing out refilling of LPG gas at LPG dispensing stations. Thus, instead of having LPG dispensing outlets, all gas cylinders will be filled by cylinder bottling plants for onward distribution to retail outlets.

We know that LPG distributors have met this decision with fierce resistance. However, in the interest of the health and safety of service providers, consumers and the general public, we urge the regulators to put these measures in place and enforce the zonal laws for the siting of fuel and LPG gas stations.

In the meantime, we urge all the regulators- the NPA, EPA, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the GNFS, the Ghana Standards Authority- to ensure that strict safety rules are enforced at filling stations especially during discharge.

Yours in the service of God and Country,

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the Service, such reports are “unfortunate” and must be disregarded.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uT0VglHTX3rQRuNOdekEKpHwT8rfi62H”]Barely 24 hours after the gas explosion, there have been reports suggesting that a Khebab seller, who lit a flame while the gas was being off-loaded is responsible for the explosion.

In a viral video report that sought to present a so-called chronology of events, that occurred before and during the explosion, broadcaster and Morning Show Host of Accra-based Joy FM, Kojo Yankson, explained that a khebab seller located 10 meters away from the gas station, lit a match while there was a gas escape in the process of discharge of gas from a tanker to the gas company’s reservoir hence the explosion.

But according to the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, Prince Billy Anaglate, that analysis is false.

He told Citi News in an interview that several factors must be considered before an accurate report can be given of the actual cause of the explosion.

“It is unfortunate for anybody to quickly come out with a conclusion of the investigation when there are several possible causes. Certain activities around the gas filling station might be responsible for the cause of a gas fire on a gas facility, but if you are talking about a khebab seller, you need to determine the distance of the khebab seller to the gas station,” he said.

“You need to determine and assess certain factors to find out that even if there is a leakage of gas that might have caused it, know the velocity and direction for the wind to dissipate the constitution of the gas before making such conclusions. That assertion by somebody is just an unfortunate one,” he added.

Many people have taken to social media to rubbish the account of the broadcaster as images from the explosion scene suggested that the accused khebab seller, who is yet to be identified, had not started operation moments before the explosion.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service is still conducting its investigations into the matter and will soon release its report.

The explosion on Saturday, has killed seven people so far, with nearly 132 injured. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged, whereas those with severe injuries are still on admission at the 37 Military, Ridge and Legon Hospitals.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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So far, six people have been confirmed dead with nearly 40 others sustaining varying degrees of injury.

The Embassy took to Twitter to express its condolence, saying, “We extend our deepest condolences following last night’s explosion and wish peace, strength and recovery to all those affected.”

We extend our deepest condolences following last night’s explosion and wish peace, strength and recovery to all those affected.

— US Embassy Ghana (@USEmbassyGhana) October 8, 2017

[contextly_sidebar id=”ybUVr1gOjchZjnzpfNt0Hk1E6PjgqMb6″]The explosion occurred at the MANSCO gas station at Atomic Junction near the University of Ghana.

Residents were thrown into a state of pandemonium following the piercing sound of the explosion as well as the giant scary fireball that was formed in the sky.

The gory incident left six people dead, with scores of people sustaining injuries. Top government officials including the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,visited the site on Sunday to monitor the situation.

Bawumia rushes back to Accra

The Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, who on Saturday joined President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on a three-day official tour of the Northern Region, was compelled to leave for Accra when the news broke out.

He has so far visited the site of the explosion, and has visited the 37 Military Hospital to commiserate with the victims.

He has promised that Government will foot the bills of all the injured persons. He however assured the populace that this time round, government will be stricter on safety measures by introducing a new policy in the petroleum retail sector to prevent such disasters.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also expressed his devastation at the incident.

Nana Addo, who is touring the Northern region, tweeted after the explosion and said “My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, and I wish the injured speedy recovery,” he added.

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By: Melvin Clottey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Vice President, who on Saturday joined President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his three-day official tour of the Northern Region, was compelled to leave for Accra when the news broke out.

[contextly_sidebar id=”P46l95RYBKZLlGSTQjelBVjmawcnfJxt”]The disaster coincided with the Vice President’s 54th birthday celebration which brought together President Nana Addo, family relations, friends and well wishers at the OIC spot in Tamale.

The breaking news truncated the birthday splash which could have lasted for several hours.

Saddened by the disaster, Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who was to visit Salaga with President Nana Addo today [Sunday] left for Accra.

President Akufo-Addo left the event’s ground looking devastated as the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugine Arhin’s birthday was the same day.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo will climax his tour of the region visiting Salaga and the Avnash Rice Processing Factory at Nyankpala in the Tolon district.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The fire occurred around 7:00pm on Saturday.

Franklin Badu Jnr, a reporter who was on campus before the explosion, said “it shook the roofing of the Pentagon hall where I was.”

“There was a huge explosion that shook the Pentagon hall where I was. It appears that the gas flared into the atmosphere and the inferno followed suit. Students numbering thousands are fleeing for their lives.”

There are two gas stations and two petrol and diesel stations around the area.

Citi News’ Richard Dela Sky, who is also at Atomic junction where the incident occurred, reported that “it is really terrifying.”

“I can hear piercing sound of gas explosion. I can see a lot of fire tenders here trying to put the fire off. The residual gas in the container is burning. I can still hear sounds of explosion. The whole area has been cordoned off by the police. No vehicle is being allowed to the scene,” he added.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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It said it expects to make an operating profit margin of 18.3% for the period.

Huawei has traditionally concentrated on making telecoms network equipment, but has benefited by diversifying into fast-growing sectors such as smartphone manufacturing.

It is now one of the world’s largest smartphone makers.

Cathy Meng, the firm’s chief financial officer, said the firm “achieved quality and sustainable growth in our consumer business thanks to the increase of brand awareness and smart devices sales worldwide”.

According to research firm IDC, Huawei shipped 13.7 million smartphones in the first three months of this year – making it the third-biggest smartphone vendor in the world.

Huawei did not give a breakdown of its latest sales numbers.

Continued growth

Huawei has also been looking to tap into the market for wearable technology and introduced its hybrid Talkband smart device earlier this year.

Furthermore, China’s investment in fourth-generation mobile network technology has led to a steady stream of revenue for the firm.

“Driven by increasing investments in LTE networks worldwide, Huawei has further solidified its leadership position in mobile broadband,” Ms Meng said in the statement.

The firm’s growth comes despite it coming under scrutiny in key markets in recent years.

In 2012, US politicians claimed that the company posed a security threat because of its alleged links to China’s government and military.

The concerns over its association with the Chinese authorities have been driven in part, by the fact that the company’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, was a former member of the People’s Liberation Army.

However, Huawei has repeatedly denied those claims and has stressed that it is 100%-owned by its employees and founder.

Earlier this year, a report in the New York Times alleged that the US National Security Agency (NSA) had infiltrated Huawei’s servers.

In response, China has demanded a clear explanation from the US government.

Source: BBC

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The one-year sponsorship deal is worth US$100,000 plus products.

“I would like to welcome on board Huawei and wish they enjoy their sponsorship package with us,” President Kwesi Nyantakyi said.

Huawei is multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company.

They are the largest telecommunications equipment maker in the world, having overtaken Ericsson in 2012.

Source: Ghana FA

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