Marketing Consultant, Mr David Afiawo has said that the complexities in the oil marketing supply-chain impose enormous challenges for both operators and consumers of petroleum products.

Speaking at the commissioning of a fuel station at Osino in the Eastern Region, Mr Afiawo appealed to stakeholders in the oil marketing industry to collaborate to ensure the safety of lives and property at all times.

He said managing petroleum products was not the sole responsibility of filling station attendants, dealers, and managers, but also required the involvement of motorists as well as others who operated within the vicinities of fuel stations.

He said any lapses on the part of any stakeholder especially the regulators, would spell disaster and as such “we must all work together to ensure safety at filling stations and around it”.

Mr Afiawo emphasised the need to adopt best practices to manage challenges in the supply chain and urged the OMCs to focus on the transporters of petroleum products, equipment, communication, customers, and finance as any operational deficiency had the potential of affecting the nation.

Both fuel station attendants and dealers were tasked to enforce the disciplinary code including the prohibition of the use of mobile phones and ensuring that engines are turned off when refuelling vehicles.

He called for the proper training of frontline staff in best practices and effective customer service to inject professionalism into the field of operations.

Dealer of the Osino Engen Filling Station, Alhaji Abdulai Yahaya, said operating a fuel station in a rural environment was a challenge, however, he encouraged others to "not only look at the financial side of the business but to consider the interest of our people at the countryside”.

“Operating oil and gas companies in some of the most physically and politically challenging environments may not offer huge financial attraction but service to the people is service to God,” he concluded.