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

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The NPA, in a statement, said it was of the “considered view that the reasons for the intended demonstration are anything but noble” given the interventions it has been making.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ruu8p6jCI8dNXJeGsJXLpqW38JLSRZUc”]These interventions have seen prices rise by just between 0.66 percent and 1.08 percent, according to the statement.

The NPA advised stakeholders to seek clarity from them to “ensure that the public is not misled by those who are motivated by reasons other than those of national interest.”

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) and Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) are spearheading the protest against the price increase of petroleum products.

Use of Stabilization and Recovery Levy

Providing some background to the situation, the Authority explained that the prices of petroleum products have risen by about 18 percent on the international market since November 2017.

“Under the current price deregulation regime which has been in effect since July 2015, price volatility on the international market is expected to directly impact domestic pump prices because the government has no direct control over the setting of the bi-weekly prices of petroleum products,” it noted.

But the NPA says it “has since December 2017 used upfront, the expected receipts from the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy (PSRL) in the price build-up as a mechanism to bring stability to prices.”

At the end of 2017, the NPA announced that prices of petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would remain fairly stable at the pumps from January 1 because of the activation of the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy.

Before this, the NPA had directed all Oil Marketing Companies and LPG Marketing Companies to use revised prices in the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy Act to control recent price increases in petroleum products.

The levy was, however, unable to prevent the fuel price increases, which COPEC had sounded warnings of in January.

Price increase could have been higher

This notwithstanding, the NPA has said its interventions prevented the fuel prices from rising much higher than what is seen at the pumps.

“This intervention by the government has brought down the expected increase of petrol’s price for the period 1st – 15th February 2018 from 5.06% to 2.16% and from 3.60% to 1.26% for diesel. Despite the expected increases above after the intervention, the actual price changes observed on the market at the moment range between 0.66% and 1.08%,” the NPA explained.

It added that, a “large majority of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) still have their prices unchanged whilst some have even reduced their prices, and consumers are at liberty to purchase petroleum products from OMCs with competitive prices as expected under a price deregulated regime.”

Find below the full statement

6th February 2018

INCREASES IN EX-PUMP PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has received notice of an intended demonstration by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) and Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) ostensibly in response to recent increases in price of petroleum products at the pump by some selected Oil Marketing Companies.

We do recognise that the right to demonstrate for or against any course is a constitutionally guaranteed one and COPEC will be acting within its right as such.

We are however of the considered view that the reasons for the intended demonstration are anything but noble having regard to the interventions made time and again by the NPA by way of the Price Stabilisation interventions over the past three (3) months. The truth of the matter are as follows:

1. Prices of petroleum products have been on the rise on the international market. For instance the prices of petrol and diesel on the international market have increased cumulatively by 17% and 19% respectively since November 2017;
2. Under the current price deregulation regime which has been in effect since July 2015, price volatility on the international market is expected to directly impact domestic pump prices because government has no direct control over the setting of the bi-weekly prices of petroleum products;
3. However, being concerned about the impact of the upward trend of international market prices on domestic product prices, government has since December 2017 used upfront, the expected receipts from the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL) in the price build-up as a mechanism to bring stability to prices;
4. Since 1st February, 2018, for instance, the PSRL which hitherto were GHp12/Lt on petrol and GHp10/Lt on diesel have been completely neutralized to reduce the impact of rising prices on the international market on Ghanaian consumers. This means that government has forfeited the revenue it would have collected on these products for the period 1st – 15th February, 2018 in order to cushion consumers;
5. This intervention by the government has brought down the expected increase of petrol’s price for the period 1st – 15th February, 2018 from 5.06% to 2.16% and from 3.60% to 1.26% for diesel;
6. Despite the expected increases above after the intervention, the actual price changes observed on the market at the moment range between 0.66% and 1.08%;
7. It is worthy to note that the large majority of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) still have their prices unchanged whilst some have even reduced their prices, and consumers are at liberty to purchase petroleum products from OMCs with competitive prices as expected under a price deregulated regime; and
8. The consuming public is hereby assured that the National Petroleum Authority will continue to monitor the prices of petroleum products on the market to ensure that they are set in conformity with the Prescribed Petroleum Price Formula.

We wish to advise all interested groups that need further clarity on the current state of petroleum product prices to contact the NPA for a discussion. This will ensure that the public is not misled by those who are motivated by reasons other than those of national interest.

Signed

Corporate Affairs Division

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In a statement, COPEC said it checks had revealed that there has been a 4 percent increase in fuel prices at some pumps.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XZIsLV5PrrM2S6oyr5OXtXKadfS0zG0K”]”Fuel prices that used to trade at GHc4.490/litre for both petrol and diesel, have seen an increase to GHc 4.670, a difference of about 18p or some 4.008% increases,” COPEC said.

The Chamber called on the government to take a second look at the current price build up as it believes “these increases will continue for a very long time if nothing is done about the pricing template and the numerous taxes.”

“These increases coming on the back of an earlier threat by the GPRTU on its intended transport fare increases will certainly put a lot of pressure on the consuming and commuting public,” it added.

Activation of stabilization levy

At the end of 2017, the NPA announced that prices of petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would remain fairly stable at the pumps from January 1.

The Authority added that, it had activated the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy to prevent the potential increase in the price of diesel.

Before this, the NPA had directed all Oil Marketing Companies and LPG Marketing Companies to use revised prices in the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy Act to control recent price increases in petroleum products.

This followed a directive from the Ministry of Energy following fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products due to strong political and economic influence from oil-producing countries across the world.

Find below the Chamber’s full statement

CHAMBER OF PETROLEUM CONSUMERS-GHANA

4% FUEL PRICE INCREASES

PRICES CURRENTLY GOING UP AT THE PUMPS.

Contrary to an earlier notice on January 1, 2018 by the National Petroleum Authority, indicating some interventions to keep fuel prices stable at the pumps through the month of January, we can confirm that fuel prices across some pumps have been adjusted by as much as 4%, today the 4th day of January.

Fuel prices that used to trade at Ghc4.490/litre for both petrol and diesel have seen an increase to 4.670 a difference of about 18p or some 4.008% increases.

Our roving team continues to keep an eye on the development as well as increases across the other pumps.

These increases coming on the back of an earlier threat by the GPRTU on its intended transport fare increases will certainly put a lot of pressure of the consuming and commuting public.

We reiterate our calls on the government to take a second look at the current price build up as we believe these increases will continue for a very long time if nothing is done about the pricing template and the numerous taxes.

Signed: Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary, Copec Ghana

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Fuel prices go up by 4% despite NPA’s assurances – COPEC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Authority’s introduction of sulphur diesel to the market has positively impacted the health conditions of more than 3 million residents in Accra and across the country, reducing exposure to poor urban air quality and fine particles.

The awarding committee praised the initiative as, not only outstanding but a step which will go a long way to improving the health of the public.

Speaking to the media after receiving the award, the NPA Chief Executive, Hassan Tampuli, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to protecting the industry and consumers, by ensuring the right initiatives are implemented for the good of the sector and the country.

He was hopeful the industry’s best years are ahead and spoke of his commitment and that of his staff, to running an efficient and results-oriented downstream industry for the benefit of their partners and consumers.

Mr.Tampuli was full of praise for the entire staff of the authority and the board for their sacrifices.

This award is one of many the NPA has received in the course of the year. It was recently honoured by the United Nations’ Clean Air Alliance at COPE23 in Bonn, Germany, for the same initiative.

The alliance said the country’s move will influence regional efforts to improve air quality. Ghana is a major player in the West African fuel system as a fuel refiner and a major export hub for refined fuels.

The policy will help lead West Africa’s desulfurization and adoption of cleaner vehicle emissions standards to lower particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and black carbon emissions.

The award was the fourth in the series and brought together players from both the upstream and downstream sectors, who continue to contribute to the Ghana’s oil and gas sector.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPA honoured for clean fuel initiative at 2017 Oil & Gas awards appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Commenting on the scandal to Citi News, Dr. Donkor said the NPA was not proactive enough in dealing with initial reports of the diversion.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DIhaZ3ZTSciFXGIrENsBdnviuT43AKDX”]The Pru East MP said the NPA “should have cracked the whip” when it first became aware of the mismanagement and corruption in the premix distribution chain.

According to letters written by the NPA and sighted by Citi News, over 200 cases of premix fuel diversions took place since January 2017.

“The NPA is the regulator. It has the authority to crack the whip. Defaulting OMCs and their collaborators should be brought to book. But more importantly, as a nation, going forward, we need to take a second look.”

“Immediately it reared its ugly head, the NPA should have dealt decisively with it, and I will encourage the NPA to crack the whip irrespective of who is involved. We are allowing partisanship to override the national interest and I am extremely passionate about this.”

In 2016 for example, $45 million was spent on premix fuel subsidies, and Dr. Donkor stressed that “it is our [tax payers’] money that is going to waste,” hence the need for the reforms in the distribution chain.

“Subsidies are important, but they must be properly targeted and the right beneficiaries should be served. We can develop a mechanism that will ensure that at least 90 percent of whatever is designated to the fishing community gets there.”

In the diversions cited, the products ended up staying in the Greater Accra Region, though the product was documented to go outside the region.

“Fishermen in my constituency now have to buy regular fuel, and then buy engine oil to mix it to degrade it to the level that the outboard machines use because they can’t get premix,” Dr. Donkor lamented.

Revised guidelines

About 14 Oil Marketing Companies found culpable in the scandal have been banned and will no longer receive premix fuel supplies from the National Premix Fuel Committee.

The Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, NPA and the National Premix Fuel Committee, after an emergency meeting over the scandal, came out of with a six-point resolution, to ensure that all premix fuel outlets in the country will be reviewed for compliance with standard requirements.

2009 revision

Before this, premix fuel guidelines were revised in 2009, and a new National Premix fuel committee constituted in the wake of concerns with the diversion of the product.

Since the start of the distribution of the subsidized premix fuel in 1990, the government in 2008 noted that, the policy had been plagued by a proliferation of premix fuel sale points owned by individuals rather than the fisher groups, uncontrollable corruption in the premix fuel administration, rampant diversion of the product from the intended destinations, and the adulteration of regular petrol with diverted premix.

There was also a general discontent among fisher-folk identified, hence the reviewed guidelines and restructuring of the National Premix fuel committee.

The original idea of the policy was to ensure the timely availability of the product to the fisher-folk at affordable prices.

It was also to empower the fisher groups to run the premix fuel sale point at the landing beaches, and use the proceeds to develop their communities and themselves.

–

By: Duke Mensah Opoku & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to her, the ministry does not have a tracking system to identify culprits hence the NPA, which has a system to track such happenings “must take action.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”lFgDX3fPn8i0fKmxqVcVGpagGmCfGNHB”]“They have the trackers, the NPA by law is supposed to be monitoring the supply and distribution of the pre-mix fuel, and it is the NPA that has that authority to be prosecuting offenders. So I told the NPA that the moment you find somebody perpetuating this crime, you arrest this person on the spot. The NPA has the tracker. As I sit here, I don’t have any tracker, I don’t have a tracking system to tell who is diverting pre-mix fuel or not,” the minister said on Eyewitness News on Tuesday.

She added that, “we have made requests to the NPA to allow us to also have access to the tracking system to be able to tell who is diverting and who is not” but that was yet to be granted.

The NPA in series of letters dated between January and October 2017, informed the National Pre-mix fuel Committee and the Fisheries Ministry to take action against some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that are involved in the diversion of the product meant for fisher-folk in the country’s coastal communities.

The OMCs, according to the letter, took supply of the pre-mix fuel at the Tema Oil Refinery supposedly to be supplied to fishing communities outside Accra, however, they ended up supplying them within Accra often to industries.

The development, which has persisted for several months, appear to be a major factor for the collapsing fishing industry, with a decline in local fish production and increase in fish imports.

But in a rather combative interview, Madam Afoley Quaye said she was informed that the supposed diverted pre-mix fuels were duly received.

She said, “I went to the landing beaches to find out exactly what they were doing there, and the members of the landing beach committees gave me documents to prove that they have actually received the pre-mix fuel.”

This claim by the Minister, is however at variance with the NPA letters which also confirmed that in the 249 diversions recorded, some of the landing beaches made receipts available, but in actual fact, they never received the product.

Media will complain

She chastised the media for seemingly putting pressure on her to take action against the indicted OMCs, saying that they [the media] will again blame her should any action against the OMCs lead to a shortage of pre-mix fuel in the country.

“It is the media who will come out to say fishermen are not getting premix fuel. I have just received a letter that 14 out of the about 20 OMCs who are supplying the pre-mix fuel should be stopped from supplying pre-mix fuel. If I stop this today, is this not going to affect the supply of the pre-mix fuel at the landing beaches.? I will adhere to their directives and then when the shortage comes, it is you [the media] who will come again to say fishermen are not getting pre-mix fuel,” she said.

Conflict of interest issues

Meanwhile, the Minister stated that, she finds nothing wrong with the appointment of a man believed to be her brother, to serve as the acting Administrator of the National Pre-mix fuel Committee.

While arguing that his appointment was for a temporary period only to fill a vacant position, she said she does not believe her action put her in a conflict of interest position.

Premix fuel sector gold mine for party executives – Inland Fisherman

Chairman of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, Jacob Tetteh Ageke, has suggested that political party executives in various constituencies are involved in the act, adding that they profit hugely from the mismanagement of the distribution.

Mr. Owusu confirmed this, reminding the NPA to be tough regardless of political influence.

“The issue lies with NPA. NPA has to be tough irrespective of whoever is there because these are political people who have taken a position in this premix issue so it is very risky as an authority trying to stamp your authority on these things. I believe the NPA can do more. “

Pre-mix fuel diversion: We can’t punish perpetrators – Committee

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Pre-mix Fuel committee, Nii Lantey Bannerman, has said his outfit does not have the power to sanction persons who divert subsidized premix fuel meant for fishermen to other areas to be sold to industries.

According to him, only the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) can sanction or withdraw the licenses of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) who perpetrate such acts.

OMCs making abnormal profit from diversions

The government is spending several millions of cedis subsidizing the cost of premix fuel for fishermen, who are buying it at Gh7.20 pesewas per gallon.

Per Citi News’ calculations, the diversions from January to October alone have cost the country about 7 million cedis.

However, there are reports that those diverting the product are selling it to industries about two times the price, thereby creating artificial shortages in the fishing communities, and denying fishermen their due.

Below is a list of instances of pre-mix fuel diversion

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“My guess is that, if you want to demonstrate how reprehensive morally this thing is, you would want to resign. That is one way of showing that you don’t want this to happen,” he said on The Big Issue.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jEjzBhZVPeKg4TAr5capSkdQTrHMZAG4″]Following the explosion, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) boss, Hassan Tampuli, revealed that his outfit had identified some safety lapses at the MANSCO Liquefied Petroleum Gas station, where the explosion occurred, and had written to the station, among others, to rectify the lapses by September 4.

The NPA noted that, there was too much activity on the forecourt around the cylinder filling and auto gas area, and that there was a lack of safety signs and the absence of a waiting area for customers.

The Environmental Protection Agency admitted some culpability, but said some other agencies also had various roles to play in regulating the operations of the station.

Given that the lapses as admitted by the NPA led to seven deaths with 132 injured, Mr. Akumperigya insisted that, the country appears to be shying away from the institutional failings that led to the disaster.

“If someone causes the death of another person, there should be something higher for the person to pay, and the least you can pay is to resign from your position or be sacked. I think that their position is already untenable to the extent that, these were existing factors prior to the fire, and that immediate causative factor was exactly what was diagnosed by the NPA.”

Last chance for NPA Boss, others

Also speaking on The Big Issue, the Executive Director of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, Duncan Amoah, noted that, recent directives from the President to bolster the safety in LPG distribution were effectively a final chance to the heads of organisations like the EPA, the NPA, and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).

“What this Cabinet resolution is doing to the NPA, GSA and the EPA is saying that, if there are any more accidents today or tomorrow, those authority heads should no longer sit in those offices because their terms will be untenable… If people had been punished [after the June 3 disaster and other explosions], we probably wouldn’t have gotten here,” Mr. Amoah said.

Directives from the President

In the wake of that Atomic explosion and the subsequent pressure from the public, President Akufo-Addo directed the following:

1. immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the National Petroleum Authority;
2. review of the current licensing regime to ensure that only those with demonstrable capacity and competence engage in the LPG distribution business;
3. institution of mandatory training and certification of the staff of Regulators, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies to ensure the safe handling of LPG;
4. review the safety protocols along the entire value chain through the combined efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), National Fire Service (NFS), Town and Country Planning Department of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations;
5. deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards;
6. the immediate incorporation of standards and guidelines developed by Ghana Standards Authority on the handling, storage and distribution of LPG and other petroleum products as technical regulations to strengthen the enforcement regime;
7. the recruitment by NPA of 200 safety auditors to join the staff of the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to check regularly on all stations to ensure full compliance with safety standards and practices;
8. expedition of action by the Fire Service and the Police Service of on-going investigations. Any operator or regulatory official, against whom any act of criminal negligence is established, will face the full rigors of the law;
9. immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Some officials should’ve been fired for Atomic explosion – Lawyer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His comment is in reaction to a caution by former Minister for Environment, Science Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga, who suggested that, Cabinet’s decision to suspend the construction of ongoing gas and petrol/diesel stations, is illegal.

On Thursday, a Cabinet meeting saw the introduction of some nine safety measures to ensure sanity within the fuel distribution chain nationwide, and to ostensibly curtail explosions.

These safety measures are aside President Nana Akufo-Addo ordering the implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution.

Some of the directives have however been met with disagreements especially within the LPG retail sector.

But Mr. Tampuli, who was speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, said, “This is a decision that is being taken by the President of the Republic of Ghana, in accordance with the constitution of Ghana, and other existing laws of the land. Article 57 vests executive powers in the President, and 58 (3) says the president can do so directly or through other officers who are subordinates to him. So even if the President decides to say that the Ministry of Information or Ministry of Energy should do this on his behalf, he’ll be doing this in accordance with law.”

In response to comments that cabinet is only an advisory body, the NPA boss said, “to a large extent, under the constitution, Cabinet is only an advisory body, but its decisions and directives are not decisions of the Cabinet. Per the statement, the President issued the directive on his mandate with cabinet playing an advisory role.”

Prior to the gas explosion at Atomic junction on October 7, there had been talks at government level regarding the implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of LPG distribution.

The model will ensure that LPG filling points are sited out of densely populated areas and commercial centres.

In the aftermath of the Atomic gas explosion which killed seven persons and injured some 132 others, talks on the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of LPG distribution intensified, resulting in cabinet’s swift move in introducing the nine directives meant to curb fuel explosions.

Cabinet’s Nine ‘Tough’ Decisions

1. Immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the National Petroleum Authority;
2. Review of the current licensing regime to ensure that only those with demonstrable capacity and competence engage in the LPG distribution business;
3. Institution of mandatory training and certification of the staff of Regulators, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies to ensure the safe handling of LPG;
4. Review the safety protocols along the entire value chain through the combined efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), National Fire Service (NFS), Town and Country Planning Department of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations;
5. Deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High-risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards;
6. The immediate incorporation of standards and guidelines developed by Ghana Standards Authority on the handling, storage and distribution of LPG and other petroleum products as technical regulations to strengthen the enforcement regime;
7. The recruitment by NPA of 200 safety auditors to join the staff of the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to check regularly on all stations to ensure full compliance with safety standards and practices;
8. Expedition of action by the Fire Service and the Police Service of on-going investigations. Any operator or regulatory official, against whom any act of criminal negligence is established, will face the full rigors of the law;
9. Immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.

Of these nine directives, the impending closure of high-risk fuel stations across the country within 30-days, and the halting of the construction of new petrol/diesel and LPG filling points nationwide, have been described as “unfair.”

According to Mahama Ayariga, owners of these properties “have already obtained the necessary permits, have the appropriate clearance and have taken loans to invest in these projects, and that consequently, such a directive will only burden the owners.

But Mr. Tampuli maintains that “…governance is a dynamic arrangement. You do things based on the existences of the time. You cannot tell me that I should apply 2010 law to matters that have come up in 2017… We have to assess the situation and determine whether or not, even though the state has permitted you to put up that structure there, because of the information that has come to our notice currently, we do not think the permit we granted you to proceed is proper.”

“So we can take back the permit that has been given to you. The state has the power to do so. The state cannot be in a straight-jacket situation.”

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By: Marie-Franz Fordjoe/citifmonline/Ghana

The post NPA justifies decision to halt construction of new fuel stations appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He stressed that ever since assuming office, Tampuli took proactive steps to address safety challenges in the sector head on.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lAsY6dLHRXgp3c18yGj3xV3AddHMbmUw”]Speaking to The Finder, he recalled that one of the first things the NPA Chief Executive did was to invite all stakeholders to a major workshop to deliberate on safety challenges and the way forward.

Hosi explained that, it is unfortunate that even before the actions of Tampuli could start yielding results, a major gas explosion rocked Atomic Junction killing 7 and injuring 132.

He therefore called for thorough investigations into the Atomic Junction gas explosion accident and persons found culpable sanctioned.

According to him, people have failed in the discharge of their duties and government should wake up and deal with the issue at hand.

“Who are we holding accountable for the loss of lives, who is going to lose his job for this, who is going to go to prison for this, who is really going to pay for the loss of lives and the loss of property and the embarrassment this has caused the state.”

“It has to do with us purely enforcing the rules. The rules are there, people breach them and when you breach them we hold people accountable, but we never hold anybody accountable and that is the failing of government” he asked.

Hosi stressed that if the mechanism for accountability is not enforced, no policy would solve the problems.

However, he said engaging in blame game and calling for some individuals to be sacked without thorough examinations to deal with the right culprits would be counter productive.

Therefore, he said calls for the formulation of a ‘new’ policy to regulate the activities of gas stations in the country are not the solution.

According to him, the enforcement of already existing laws and constant supervision would prevent gas station disasters.

He was quick to add that it is not to say that a new policy is not necessarily welcome.

He stated that the problem at hand has to do with the concept of accountability that is totally absent in the management of the sector.

The gas explosion at the Atomic Junction Saturday evening has ignited a conversation about where fuel and gas stations should be sited in the country.

Need for accountability

Many other stakeholders have also called for a new policy to be formulated. However, Hosi holds the view that the concept of accountability, which is absent in the management of the sector is the real problem.

He said governments over the years have played around the real issues and failed to put their foot down and ensure that the right things are done regardless of who is involved.

The CEO of CBOD added that “you have to deal with the fundamental thing that has to do with the breach of rules and protocol and holding people accountable for not doing their jobs and that is where we are.

Hosi noted that at the time the gas station was established, there was minimal commercial activity in the area.

He explained that as commercial activity increased, the station should have been relocated or commercial activities restricted.

–

Source: Finder

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According to him, the government has barely spent 10 months in office and therefore cannot be said to have failed in honouring the promise of reducing the price of fuel.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SSN8TxV2G8GAEBozeeKBJsFJV0FXxGIP”]Mr. Tampuli’s comment comes on the back of demands by the minority in Parliament that the government apologizes to Ghanaians for failing to honour their campaign promise to reduce fuel prices, by scrapping some taxes on petroleum products.

The Deputy Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, Adam Mutawakilu, at a press conference on Thursday, said the NPP had been elected on the back of repeated promises to scrap ‘nuisance taxes’ imposed by the previous government, and was going to reduce the cost of fuel for the ordinary Ghanaian, but has failed to do so nine months in office, leading to a hike in fuel prices.

Citi News’ checks have revealed that since January 2017 when the NPP government took over office, fuel prices have increased three times, and hit an all-year-high in September, with petrol selling at an average price of GHc4.29 at the pumps, and diesel going for an average of GHc4.23 per litre.

But Hassan Tampuli in an interview with Eyewitness News on Thursday said that, “Did we make a commitment to remove the excise tax? We did not, but we have removed completely the excise tax. This is not an insensitive government. We have even done things that we didn’t promise to do, how much more things that we promised to do, we will do it, but we will do it in the fullness of time,” he said.

In 2015, when the previous government increased petroleum prices, the then NPP opposition, described the government as being insensitive.

It said it would immediately scrap Energy sector levy that resulted in the increment of the taxes when it comes office, but that is yet to happen.

But Hassan Tampuli said the increase in fuel prices under the current government unlike the previous one, was due to increase in fuel prices globally.

He said he believes that the government must be given more time honour the promise it made to Ghanaians with regards to the price of petroleum products.

“it is less than one year since the government came to power, and we have to apologize for all that we promised to do in our manifesto? Everything that we said we will do in our manifesto, we had to do that within nine months, and we haven’t done that so we have to apologize… Government continues…we cannot do everything in one day,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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