The Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority Mr Alhassan Tampuli, has launched the 4th pilot implementation programme of the Cylinder Recirculation Model under the theme: “CRM: SECURING OUR SAFETY, CREATING MORE JOBS”.
CRM Policy Objective.
Mr AlhassanTampuli has said that, over the years, the petroleum downstream industry has witnessed increasing number of petroleum related accidents in the country as a result of the improper handling of various forms of petroleum products, most specifically liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Indeed, the issue of safety has been high on the agenda of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government and that has culminated in the introduction and implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model of LPG distribution.
According to RICHNEWSNETWORK.NEWS , the challenges enumerated above, the CRM policy seeks to develop a market-driven structure to ensure safety and increase access of LPG to 50% by 2030.
It is also to ensure the existence of robust and standard Health, Safety and Environmental practices in the production, marketing and consumption of LPG.
Mr AlhassanTampuli said, the choice of Jomoro and its environs to pilot this CRM initiative by President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government is as a result of good control and traceability of cylinders, active refilling outlets with consistent LPG sales over the last assessment period and multiplicity of LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) in the Municipality.
As part of preparatory activities towards the pilot implementation of the CRM, members of the National Implementation Committee and the NPA embarked on a familiarization visit to Jomoro, engaged the Chiefs of Jomoro present and the Municipal Assembly. Our technical team has also paid working visits to all Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlets in Bamianko-Anyinase, Elubo, Ekpu and Jarway Wharf in the Municipality.
He said, a total of 3,983 cylinders have been procured for Jomoro alone, to augment the cylinders you already have in your homes. All you need to do is to pick your empty cylinder, walk to the gas station and exchange it for a filled cylinder. They are in different sizes ranging from 3kg, 6kg and 14.5kg so it doesn’t matter the size of cylinder you have, your needs are catered for in this CRM pilot exercise.
The procured cylinders are currently being branded in the colours and logo of the LPG Marketing Companies.
Matters Arising, in recent times, we’ve had calls by some industry players to halt the implementation of the CRM pilot phase due to some challenges encountered with the pilot exercises in Kade and Obuasi.
We need not remind ourselves that one of the reasons for the pilot is to help address difficulties that may arise when we eventually move to a full scale implementation of the CRM policy. Pilot exercises are conducted to help guide us to identify problems and fix them and in light of this problems encountered in the pilot areas are being addressed.
Mr Alhassan Tampuli added that, they encountered shortages of CRM branded cylinders in Kade and Obuasi as a result of high demand and patronage of the policy since its inception but 46,470 cylinders including a 20% buffer for each LPG Marketing Company were procured to augment what were already in circulation in Obuasi and Kade.
More than 20,000 cylinders have been recalled and brought to Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company for assessment. Those fit for purpose would be refurbished, branded and sent back to the Obuasi and Kade LPG Marketing Companies while the faulty ones will be scrapped.
The CEO of NPA Mr Alhassan Tampuli said, to prevent such shortages, we have added a 50% buffer to each LPG Marketing Company in order to augment what they have in stock for distribution. Let me assure you that the National Petroleum Authority is poised to deal with possible challenges that may arise from the implementation of the policy.
He said, Government through this policy will create jobs for the people of Ghana, including those here in Jomoro and its environs. Direct creation is estimated to be over 4,500 in relation to new jobs under the actors of the new value chain and door to door delivery services. This does not affect current jobs of LPG Bulk Transporters, LPG Bulk Distribution Companies, and LPG Bulk Storage companies.
Let me reiterate that the Cylinder Recirculation model of LPG distribution will be implemented fully.
The relevant licenses will be issued and safety protocols will be keenly observed to ensure the safety of the good people of Ghana, while increasing access to LPG for domestic, commercial and industrial use from the current 25% level to 50% by 2030.
CEO of NPA, Mr Alhassan Tampuli concluded that, National LPG Implementation Committee has worked tireless efforts in ensuring the pilot model fully implemented despite the current pandemic we all find ourselves in.
To our stakeholders here today, thank you all for making yourselves available to engage with us and accepting to be part of the discussions that will drive us towards achieving great feats, and make the Ghana Petroleum Downstream industry one of the benchmark industries in Africa.
Source: richnewsnetwork.news
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