The Ghana Gas Company says is taking steps to protect its pipelines that transport gas from its processing plant at Atuabo to the Volta River Authority thermal plants at Aboadze in the Western region.

There’s however, a concern that the 110-kilometer pipeline which runs through six districts to Aboadze through Takoradi could be destroyed by illegal miners who are digging all around it.

Joy News is learning that security personnel in the last few weeks arrested some people who were mining close to the pipelines.

Petroleum minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, tells Joy News extra security on the pipelines is crucial to avoid a disaster. 

He indicated construction of a specialized road to transport LPG for local consumption is been stepped up as well.

"We needed to engage all the six communities and empower them, but it became clear that if the lean gas that will fuel power plants and generate electricity is going to work, the LPG and other by-products must be evacuated," said Mr. Buah.

He explained that the Ministry engaged a private company to set up that plant quickly to take the LPG which is providing half of the nation's requirement. 

According to him, there was the need to set up the gas task force which includes the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies to coordinate the activities to fast track some of the bureaucratic processes.