The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority(NPA) has stated the outfit’s commitment to clamping down on illegal gas and petroleum installations in the country.
Consequently, the Authority is embarking on the closure of such stations as found in the cities and regions of the country.
Addressing a cross section of media practitioners in the Ashanti Region on the NPA’s upcoming launch of fire and safety drive, Mr Alhassan Tampuli expressed the Authority’s determination to rid the country of needless gas explosions owing to the construction of illegal filling stations across the country.
The Authority, he added is also commencing the inspection of documentations regarding these petroleum installations and companies across the regions.
This, he stressed was the first phase of ensuring the stoppage of gas explosions in the country.
The country, according to statistics available to the Ghana National Fire Service has recorded 15 Gas explosions this year.
CALL:
Mr Tampuli rallied the media to partner the NPA in getting issues about domestic and workplace safety measures to the public.
According to him, the media is a critical tool in getting results in anything meaningful, adding the NPA cherishes this unique role to getting permanent solutions to the needless deaths arising from gas explosions.
He urged the media to take positive interest in the education of the public on safety measures to adopt at the home when using equipment that are powered by gas.
The CEO intimated the dangerous nature of gas and urged the public to attach all the necessary precautions to the usage of gas or equipment that are powered by gas since the fuel cannot be seen by the naked eye.
PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY:
Mr Tampuli reminded the public on their responsibility to call the NPA or the police whenever they realize the activities of gas station could endanger their lives.
According to him, citizens have the right to cause or effect an arrest when the person perpetrating the act is acting in contravention to the laws of Ghana.
He advised the public to desist from refilling vehicles when the engines are on, adding that is serious thing to attract an explosion.
He cautioned the use of mobile phones close the gas cylinder or a gas filling station since it is easy to spark an explosion by that.
On her part, Mrs Esther Anku, Director Research, Inspection and Monitoring at NPA admonished the public to consciously observe all safety measures in the home and workplace so as to help halt domestic fires.
She hinted of the launch of a safety day in August where the citizens of the country will be expected to observe it with the idea of keeping safety measures at the home and workplace.
