The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has shut down another fuel station, but this time not for cheating consumers but rather engaging in third party activities at Gindabuor in the Savannah Region.
The term ‘third party’, the NPA explains, refers to the act of receiving petroleum products from an unknown source other than from the sponsoring Oil Marketing Company (OMC).
Here in Accra, the NPA also raided an illegal cylinder refurbishing facility at Makola, a suburb of Accra, and arrested seven suspects.
The suspects, who were arrested following a tip-off, were engaged in refurbishing damaged cylinders and re-introducing them onto the market.
The following are separate statements issued to that effect and released in Accra yesterday;
Closure of petrol station
Poised to collect every pesewa owed government by some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Upper West regional office of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Sunday, led a team from the Security and Intelligence and Consumer Services directorate to shut down a filling station engaged in third party activities at Gindabuor, in the Savannah region
The term third party refers to the act of receiving petroleum products from an unknown source other than from the sponsoring Oil Marketing Company (OMC).
The action followed a tip-off that the station had been selling petroleum products in the evenings and on weekends. The station, operating under the sponsorship of Oval Energy Company Ltd., was seen dispensing fuel to motorists at the time the team arrived.
When questioned about the source of the product, the station manager could not produce any document covering the product.
The Regional Manager, Mr. Bashiru Natogma cautioned dealers to desist from illegal activities as they will be brought to book when caught with severe sanctions metted out to them
It will be recalled that the NPA published a list of OMCs that are not in good standing with the Authority in the National dailies, of which Oval Energy was part.
Illegal cylinder refurbishing facility
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Ghana Police have raided an illegal cylinder refurbishing facility and arrested seven suspects in Makola, Accra.
The suspects, who were arrested following a tip-off, were engaged in refurbishing damaged cylinders and re-introducing them onto the market.
Three trucks of ceased cylinders, ranging from 5kg to 14.5kg, wielding cutting and grinding tools, paints and accessories were retrieved from them during the operation last Friday.
Briefing the media, Director of Gas at NPA, Mrs Akua Ntiwaa Kwakye said “upon the Authority’s investigations, we found out that the suspects were operating at this yard without permit and certification from the appropriate Authorities.
“It is obvious they are compromising on quality for their parochial interest at the detriment of the unsuspecting consumers of gas,” she added.
According to her, these refurbished cylinders are part of the major causes of fire outbreaks in our various marketplaces, workplaces and homes.
Mrs Ntiwaa noted that the Authority’s intervention was critical because the country keeps recording several domestic fires which had claimed lives and properties, adding that it was imperative for all and sundry to condemn these negative acts.
Mr. M.A. Korsah, Assistant Director of Safety at Ghana National Fire Service urged all consumers of LPG to be on the lookout for some of these substandard cylinders that have been reintroduced into the system.
