As part of its stakeholder engagements before the final rollout of the Cylinder Recirculation Model, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has on Friday briefed members of the National House of Chiefs on the policy.

The Authority explained to the chiefs the advantages it offers to the petroleum sector in the areas of safety, environmental benefits, LPG penetration and job creation.

Following the gas explosion at Atomic Junction in 2018, Cabinet issued a directive for the NPA, through the Energy Ministry, to engage stakeholders on the framework for the rolling out of the policy.

The NPA, therefore, formed several committees including legal and financing, to fashion out the proper terms for each in order for the policy to be fit for all. So far, the Authority has engaged the Council of State.

Addressing the House, Chief Executive of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli, who was accompanied by Dr Mohammed Amin, Deputy Energy Minister, said though the policy is not entirely new in the country, his outfit is determined to offer to Ghanaians an LPG distribution that promotes job creation and economic growth. 

Alluding to the safety aspect of the policy, Mr Tampuli said during their working visits to countries such as Peru, Venezuela and India and other African countries currently operating the system, the teams discovered a low rate of accidents under the scheme.

“In one of the countries that we went to, we discovered that the only accident they recorded was a cylinder falling on the feet of an attendant.”

According to him, even in the event that an explosion occurs, under the new regime, the damage will be far less than the existing regime where several lives could be lost and properties destroyed.

“We expect better coordination as we have started among Factories inspectorates, Ministries of Energy and Environment,” he said stressing the importance of collaboration among the various sectors involved in the policy planning process. 

He said the policy will also lead to access to gas, affordable to consumers and availability.

“By and large the prices we pay for LPG in Ghana is lower than what we pay in Togo and Cote D’Ivoire, so affordability should not be an issue.”

Mr Tampuli said the ongoing stakeholder engagements will be carried through and the various interest groups would be contacted for their inputs and advice on the policy.

“The policy is expected to achieve an improved safety standard, and consumer confidence in the product, investor confidence in the country’s economy and security to the jobs of Ghanaians.”

President of the House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede said he was hopeful that the chiefs will take advantage of the policy when it is finally introduced.

Some of the chiefs appealed to the NPA to do something about the gas prices in their regions, so people will stop the use of firewood. 

They, however, expressed optimism at the policy and encouraged the NPA to work in the best interest of Ghana.