The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has closed down the gas filling station near the Wesley Grammar School, near Dansoman, under circumstances expected to spark a legal battle between the owner and the assembly. The closure follows threats from the residents in the area to forcibly remove the station if the authorities refused to close it down. Ironically, a letter titled "Re: Request for the Confirmation of Zoning Status of a Parcel of Land" and signed by the then acting Metro Director, Town and Country Planning Department, said: 'The Accra Metro Planning Committee, at its (2005) meeting held on March 10, 2005, discussed and approved an application in principle to develop the said site for the LP Gas Refilling Plant. 'The proponent’s request can be considered as the site has assumed a mixed use status," it added. Another document from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also said: 'Upon an Order of Mandamus issued by the Accra High Court as per the ruling of His Lordship, Mr Justice K.A. Acquaye, to grant permit to H. Adjei Ventures on February 27, 2007, this environmental permit is granted per that order authorizing H. Adjei Ventures to commence the proposed LPG Refilling project at Dansoman in the Accra Metropolis." As per the documents that explicitly granted permit to the owner of the station, it is clear what the consequences of the action of the AMA are likely to be. When the Daily Graphic visited the station yesterday, it found some customers leaving the station with their empty gas cylinders after they had been turned away by the skeleton staff of the station who were guarding it. According to them, due to the publications and concerns raised by the residents, the AMA came there on Thursday to close the station down. Sources close to the owner, Mr Hayford Adjei of H. Adjei Ventures, said he was fuming and had threatened to sue the AMA for its action. The source said the owner had the necessary documents, including a court order, to operate the plant and would not allow anybody to waste his investment. Source: Daily Graphic