Further to reports on Friday, 8th February, 2013 that a resident in the Nkwanta North District of the Volta Region, had found a substance suspected to be crude oil, while drilling a borehole for water, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has carried out a site visit and conducted preliminary work on samples taken to ascertain the nature of the substance found.
GNPC visited Jombo, the site where the well bearing the said substance was located, on Saturday, February 9, 2013 and had discussions with key community leaders, including the Chiefs and Elders of Kpassa, and the surrounding areas, the Member of Parliament [MP] of Nkwanta North Constituency, and the District Chief Executive [DCE].
A preliminary examination of the physical properties of the substance indicated that it was likely to be a refined product.
Scientific tests and analysis of the samples have confirmed the substance to be Gas Oil [diesel].
The gas oil may have leaked from an abandoned underground storage tank. GNPC will conduct further investigations in collaboration with other relevant agencies to confirm this.
GNPC commends the District Security Committee [DISEC], for their timely intervention in securing the facility and its environs and urges the general public to be circumspect in handling fluids they suspect to be petroleum products as they are highly inflammable and could cause fire, bodily harm and destruction of property.