UE/R: NPA ENGAGEMENT WITH LPG CONSUMERS ON CRM SUCCESSFUL – REGIONAL MANAGER

By – Masahudu Jinkor

The National Petroleum Authority, NPA held a day’s sensitization program for different consumer groups of Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG made up of tailors, hairdressers, artisans, market men and women, farmers, persons with disabilities, weavers, smock dealers among others on the new Ghana government policy initiative known as the Cylinder Recirculation Model otherwise known as the Cylinder Replacement Model, CRM in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region.

The Cylinder Recirculation Model, was an initiative by government implemented by the National Petroleum Authority as an opportunity for consumers to have their empty cylinders replaced for filled ones at centres known as Exchanged Points to be established in almost all communities across the country. The policy which would reduce the impact of climate change was started on pilot basis Down South and had been gaining momentum as private individuals and entities kept on tendering applications for the establishment of these Exchanged Points through Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs.

Interacting with GBC URA News after the engagement forum, the Upper East Regional Manager of the National Petroleum Authority, NPA Mr. Bashiru Natogma took time to explain into details the simple process and requirements of establishing an exchanged point in any locality.

He said the initiative which is aimed at creating direct and indirect jobs for residents around where exchanged points will be sited would also encourage the use of LPG gas to the advantage of our fast depleting few forest reserves as a result of activities by fire-wood seekers and charcoal burners in the communities. The move according to Mr. Natogma would improve the population of trees in the forest areas thereby mitigating the effects of climate change.

Throwing more lights on the operations of the policy Mr. Obed Kraine Boachie, Head of Gas Incharge of Commercial Regulations indicated that the authority had started giving permits since last year for the establishment of bottling plants where LPG empty cylinders would be filled before being transported to distribution outlets and onward transportation to exchanged points in our localities saying that the capacity of an exchanged point would depend largely on the size and facilities of an exchanged entity.

Mr. Boachie stated that unlike the establishment of an LPG gas filling station which requires over one million Ghana cedis for its set up, the establishment of an exchanged point however would not require any big investment once an individual has the land inspected and deemed fit by the authority haven gotten all permits from the relevant institutions one is off to go.

Touching on the benefits of the policy he said the initiative would avoid short changing of LPG gas consumers at some of the filling outlets in the country, consistent buying of cylinder valves will be a thing of the past as well as prevent unnecessary hoarding of LPG gas as a result of the anticipation of price increases, cut down the transportation cost, avoid queuing to buy LPG gas, cylinder maintenance would be the responsibility of the regulator, it would prevent explosions and needless roaming for gas among other benefits.

Source – gbcuraonline.com