Source: newsthemegh.com
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has advised against using ramps to help in the fuel pumping process at gas stations and by drivers.
It warned that piling fuel into tilted cars on ramps could damage fuel tanks, cause explosions, and endanger life and property.
Mr. David Owusu-Kena, the Eastern Regional Manager, issued the warning during a Wednesday NPA media event in Koforidua.
The Communications Department hosted a media event to emphasize the Authority’s involvement in the petroleum downstream sector and to answer inquiries from the media on the sector.
According to Mr. Owusu-Kena, gasoline tanks shouldn’t be completely full because fuel needs room to expand.
He claimed that fully loaded fuel tanks could pour petrol onto the car and the fuel station forecourt, which could start a fire.
Additionally, he added, the expanded fuel could harm the fuel gauge and leak through old tanks into the exhaust pipe, which could set the vehicle on fire, result in injuries, and even result in fatalities.
Concerning the prerequisites for filling station siting, Mr. Owusu-Kena stated that before the NPA would issue a permit for construction of a fuel station, the prospective applicants needed to obtain permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EP), the Ghna National Fire and Rescue Service (GNFRS), and the assembly.
He claimed that in order to guarantee resident safety and environmental protection, the Authority made sure the application had obtained the essential permissions from the EPA, the GNFRS, and the assembly.
Mr. Dominic Aboagye, the NPA’s Head of Planning, described the steps the Authority has taken to guarantee the nation’s continuous access to and supply of petroleum.
The administration of storage depots, the laycan allocation program, and stock monitoring and reporting are among the measures.
The Bank of Ghana’s forex assistance to Bulk Oil Distribution Companies, the Gold for Oil initiative, and the issuance of Special International Oil Trading Licenses, according to him, were crucial in reducing the possibility of a fuel supply disruption.
According to Mr. Aboagye, the sector is supported locally by the refinement of crude oil by the Platon Gas Oil Refinery and Akwaaba Oil Refinery.
With the projected opening of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the construction of the Sentuo refinery, he said that the local fuel refinery would be ramped up.
The Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Maria Edith Oquaye, welcomed the media on behalf of NPA Chief Executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and said that last year’s media engagements across the nation were focused on pricing and quality of petroleum products, and that this year’s sensitization would be focused on requirements for siting filling stations and security of supply of petroleum products.
Mr. Kwami Sefa Kayi, a member of the NPA Governing Board and the Chairman of the Consumer Services subcommittee, praised the NPA for the awareness campaign and advised the media to be more proactive by seeking clarification from the NPA on issues pertaining to the industry.