In a letter to the Energy Ministry and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the Association said it withdrew its membership from the Committee because it felt sidelined during the meetings.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YxfvbbeOubHBxsH5RzLta8Y1mVuNFXbT”]In a statement signed by the Association’s President, Torgbui Adaku V, who is also the group’s representative in the consultative meetings, GLiPGOA said the withdrawal had become necessary because of “the persistent disregard of the issues and concerns often expressed by the representative of GLiPGOA on the policy implementation committee meeting.”

“We however wish to reiterate our call to the authorities to tread cautiously in the haste with which the policy processes are being conducted,” the statement added.

LPG marketers call for dialogue

Meanwhile, the LPG Marketers Association of Ghana has called for dialogue between the government and GLiPGOA, following the latter’s withdrawal from the talks.

“We are not one association… we have been working together but unfortunately, this came on our blindside,” Mr. Kumi told Citi News.

“It is good to get everybody on board so we will urge the authorities to call the GLiPGOA members, their executives, sit then down, listen to what those concerns are and specifically address those concerned so that together we can all move forward,” he added.

The NPA is yet to comment on the matter.

Cylinder re-circulation policy

President Nana Akufo-Addo, in October 2017, directed the implementation of the cylinder re-circulation policy following the gas explosion at an LPG filling station at Atomic junction.

The model, proposed by the NPA, is also a safety measure that will ensure that LPG filling points are sited out of the range of densely populated areas and commercial centres following a number of gas explosions that have claimed multiple lives.

LPG Marketers have consistently voiced their concerns with the policy, which they believe can collapse their businesses and result in job losses.

The policy is expected to be fully implemented by November 2018, according to the Presidential directive.

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By: Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post LPG operators withdraw from cylinder re-circulation policy talks appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

The post We’re ready for negotiation on re-circulation policy – LPG marketers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.