It is unclear whether this move is a deliberate one to frustrate the supply of gas, considering that the LPG Marketers have vehemently kicked against Government’s approach towards ensuring safety in the sector following the Atomic Junction explosion.

[contextly_sidebar id=”toGbP5YT91ixFJFiYxdbbdjzB5DAvZRs”]Confirming their decision to Citi News, the Vice-Chairman of the Association, Gabriel Kumi, said the conclusion was made in the interest of public safety to allow a task-force put in place to carryout all technical works on their outlets to avoid the rampant shut down by authorities.

“The authorities are moving around the whole country, closing down operations, and we feel that it is not fair and we want to do an introspection so we decided that we should shut down operations across the country and form a task-force to make sure all our operations are up to the standard. We don’t want to be sitting down there for authorities to be coming down in a rambo style to be shutting down operations. We feel we want to help them. We are not on strike.”

Mr. Kumi said LPG operators and the LPG Tanker drivers union, will also cease operations from today [Wednesday.

He however said that no timeline can be given for when the maintenance works will end.

LPG marketers threaten suit over cylinder re-circulation policy

The leadership of the LPG Marketing Companies Association had earlier indicated that its members are agitated over cabinet’s decision directing the implementation of the gas cylinder re-circulation policy within a year; and the suspension of construction work on newly built fuel stations.

According to the leadership, the directive has whipped up public sentiment against their members and increased their risk of doing business.

Following last week’s Atomic Junction Gas explosion, President Akufo Addo, and his Cabinet directed the review of all existing and newly awarded licenses for operators, among others.

But the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Kwame Owiredu, told Citi News their members are contemplating legal action among other options, against the directive.

“As to the constitutionality of the fiat issued by Cabinet, our members are agitating. Aside the suit that they are contemplating, some of them are actually saying that if the NPA is painting them as if their operations are death traps; they are explosions in waiting, they might as well stop operating because you can’t licence somebody and then come back and designate them as high risk or low risk. They are really agitating… By the close of the week , we will issue a press statement and let Ghanaians know what we intend to do.”

Cylinder Re-circulation Module will collapse our businesses – LPG marketers

This threat comes days after the Public Relations Officer of the LPG Marketers Association, Bernard Owiredu, expressed his outfit’s disquiet over plans to introduce the module.

Mr. Owiredu had indicated that, the current module is targeted at collapsing their businesses, despite their many years of existence in the industry.

Cylinder circulation won’t favour the poor – COPEC

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), also raised concerns about the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution, suggesting it may burden poor Ghanaians.

The Chamber’s Executive Director, Duncan Amoah, noted the inflexibility of the programme and suggested the old system of distribution be employed alongside the new module ordered by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

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By: Marian Ansah & Zoe Abu Baidoo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post LPG marketers to shut down for maintenance works appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes after a newspaper publication disclosed that the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Aburi area had given the go ahead for the cutting down of trees in the garden to make way for the construction of an administrative office for the newly created district.

In an interview with Citi News, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum insisted, the Ministry will do everything possible to protect the garden.

According to him, “we can’t do away with the Aburi Gardens, it is a symbol of this country and something very important to the environment.”

The Aburi Gardens was opened in March, 1890, and it covers 64 hectares of land.

It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Ghana but in recent times, there have been low patronage of the garden due to poor maintenance.

By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Aburi gardens will be preserved – Local Gov’t Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.