{"id":661692,"date":"2019-07-22T09:16:59","date_gmt":"2019-07-22T09:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"
\n
\"gas<\/div> \n\n "},"modified":"2019-07-22T09:16:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-22T09:16:59","slug":"takoradi-residents-laud-the-introduction-of-cylinder-re-circulation-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2019\/07\/22\/takoradi-residents-laud-the-introduction-of-cylinder-re-circulation-model\/","title":{"rendered":"Takoradi residents laud the introduction of Cylinder Re-circulation Model"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\"gas<\/div>\n

Participants at a day\u2019s stakeholder\u2019s engagement on
\nthe \u2018Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM)\u2019 being implemented by the National
\nPetroleum Authority (NPA) have lauded the introduction of the concept to make
\nLPG usage safer in communities and ensure a more protected environment.<\/p>\n

The participants also called for the availability of
\nthe fibre glass cylinders as against the steel ones, modern tubes and
\nregulators to accompany the new cylinders to be distributed by the NPA.<\/p>\n

One participants said, \u201cThis is a good policy,
\nI have experienced this in Ivory Coast where any size of cylinder is filled for
\nas low as any amount\u201d.<\/p>\n

They also called for closer access to communities to
\nenhance accessibility.<\/p>\n

Some suggested that the CRM should not be used as a
\npolitical tool but rather be given legislative backing to ensure that no
\ngovernment threw away such a laudable concept.<\/p>\n

Mr Alhassan S.Tampuli, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA at the stakeholder\u2019s engagement held in Takoradi for the people of Western region said so far, 37,000 cylinders had been procured by the Authority to undertake the initial phase of the project.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n

The goal of the policy was to ensure that 50 per
\ncent of Ghanaians had access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG
\nfor increased domestic, commercial and industrial usage by 2030.<\/p>\n

The CRM would work at ensuring that consumers got
\nthe LPG products at specialized retail outlets after the Cylinder recall
\nexercise by the NPA.<\/p>\n

Mr. Tampuli pointed out that the relevant licenses
\naccompanied with structured safety protocols were to be maintained by marketers
\nand distributors who would be franchised by the NPA.<\/p>\n

The National LPG promotion policy seeks to provide
\ndirection on marketing and distribution of LPG in a safe and efficient manner
\nwhiles ensuring increased access of the commodity.<\/p>\n

The Chief Executive Officer of NPA said the company
\nby the step taken hoped to develop a market driven structure to ensure safety,
\nenhance capacity of existing regulators and ensure the existence of robust and
\nstandard health, safety and environmental practices in the production, marketing
\nand consumption of LPG.<\/p>\n

The new value chain, under the CRM would begin with
\nimports and production, bulk storage, bulk transportation, automated bottling,
\nbottle transportation, retail and users as against the old status of main
\nsuppliers, refining and gas processing , storage, transport and retail outlets
\nbulk customer.<\/p>\n

The move would provide over 4,500 direct jobs to
\ninterested individuals and companies wishing to be part of the LPG value chain.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to the above jobs created, the NPA
\nwill recruit a little over 200 safety auditors throughout the country as well
\nas resource its newly established health and safety security and environmental
\ndepartment to ensure that all safety measures were adhered to\u201d , he added.<\/p>\n

Mr. Gabriel Kumi, Vice Chairman of the LPG Marketers
\nAssociation said the initiative, though laudable, could only be successful if
\nthe government removed most of the taxes on the product to enable the ordinary
\nGhanaian to afford it.<\/p>\n

He said price hikes, as a result of taxes, had in
\nthe past and continue to contribute to the low patronage of the community among
\nrural folks, adding that, \u201cdata for the first quarter of 2019 reveal a
\nmore worrying user trend\u2026people still prefer their charcoal to LPG due to
\nhigh prices\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr. Kumi entreated government to turn its attention
\nto the teething challenge to achieve the 50 per cent target by 2030.<\/p>\n

Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western
\nRegional Minister said the introduction of the model could contribute to a
\nsignificant reduction in Petroleum related fires and accidents that had caused
\nsome families many woes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe endorse the NPAs effort to change the mode of LPG distribution and consumption in the country\u2026it is also gratifying to know that, steps have been taken to consolidate the activities in the LPG value chain with the view to reduce health, safety, security and environmental risks \u201c.<\/p>\n

Source: Samuel Dowuona<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n