Given the recent spate of more than 15 petroleum-related fire outbreaks at petrol stations, loss of lives, and property damage in Ghana’s petroleum industry, The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has embarked on a nation-wide petrol security drive to involve all participants involved in the downstream industry as well as the overall public to share accountability.
Called “People Safety First,” the campaign aims to minimize these accidents. The NPA was established in 2005 to regulate Ghana’s petroleum downstream industry making sure that it remains efficient, profitable, fair, and that consumers receive value for money.
Alhassan Tampuli, NPA Chief Executive, told the media that the NPA will meet the CEOs of the petroleum service providers in order to gather their opinions on how jointly they can best avoid petroleum associated misfortunes in the Ghana. He said they are trying to advance the state of affairs and that ensuring that the industry becomes healthier and more secure is a shared obligation of all those involved.
Furthermore, Tampuli implored service providers of petroleum to obey safety protocols. Additionally, he said that customers must act according to safety procedures when using petroleum goods and, as regulator, the NPA will supervise and carry on enforcing security criterions via sanctions and assessments. Proprietors of fuel stations and liquefied petroleum gas plants are also implored to rigorously obey fire safety protocols in their facilities to diminish gas station eruptions of fire.
Additionally, the service urges fuel tanker drivers to acquire fire prevention skills by participating in the fire protection educational program it has started. The NPA has also kicked off a sequence of security sensitization courses for drivers of tankers, owners, dealers, retailers and businesses in marketing oil. Stakeholders’ engagements with organized labor, civil society organizations, the media, and buyer interest groups will also be held.
Speaking at a safety workshop, Tampuli reminded the providers of petroleum services of the hazards of petroleum products and the fact that they must be dealt with using extreme care to prevent leaks and oil spills. Personnel at filling stations should also demand that customers follow safety rules, like obeying non-smoking signs, not using handhelds whilst refueling, and switching their engines off.
He assured that the Authority intends to intensify checkups and the observation of certified service providers. Those that are unable to adapt to these standards will be vetoed where relevant. They will also work with officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to stop the trafficking of petrol produces alongside the border between Ghana and Burkina Faso.
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