Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Ghana Police Service, raided an illegal cylinder refurbishing facility at Makola, Accra, and arrested seven suspects.
The seven were arrested following a tip-off. They were engaged in refurbishing damaged cylinders and re-introducing them onto the market.
Three trucks of ceased cylinders ranging from 5kg to 14.5kg, welding tools, cutting and grinding tools, paints and accessories were retrieved from them during the operation last Friday.
Speaking to the media, Director for Gas at NPA, Mrs Akua Ntiwaa Kwakye said, “On the Authority’s investigations, we found out that the suspects were operating at this yard without permit and certification from the appropriate Authorities.
“It is obvious they are compromising on quality for their parochial interest at the detriment of the unsuspecting consumers of gas,” she added.
She added that these refurbished cylinders are part of the major causes of fire outbreaks in our various marketplaces, workplaces and homes.
Mrs. Ntiwaa noted that the Authority’s intervention was critical because the country keeps recording several domestic fires, which had claimed lives and properties, adding that, all and sundry needed to condemn these negative acts.
Mr M. A. Korsah, Assistant Director of Safety at the Ghana National Fire Service, urged all consumers of LPG to be on the lookout for some of these substandard cylinders that have been reintroduced onto the system.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com