BDCs call on gov't to audit fuel stations in Ghana

The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (BDCs) has called on government to audit the various fuel stations in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber, Senyo Hosi saidgovernment needs to conduct a safety audit of all fuel filling stations and fuel storage depots across the country.

He said, that would assist in bringing to the fore all shortcomings at filling stations and storage dumps for them to be addressed for the good of consumers.

“We urge the government to conduct a thorough safety audit of all facilities to prevent the Circle GOIL tragedy from recurring,” Mr. Hosi noted.

His comment follows Wednesday, June 3, 2015 fire outbreak that resulted in the death of more than 200 people at the GOIL filling station amidst heavy rains in Accra.

“What happened was most unfortunate and it is important that the government take steps to ensure it never occurs again.

He presented a cheque for GHc20,000 to the fund set up by the Multimedia Group Limited to support the surviving victims of last Wednesday’s flood and fire tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Ministry for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation on Monday asked owners of fuel stations who use their premises to engage in other business activities to cease such operations.

According to Mr. Ayariga, activities such as preparing food for restaurants attached to the stations were dangerous.

All stations that engaged in such activities were therefore issued with cessation orders on Monday morning during the Minister’s tour of some fuel stations in the capital. Read more

Mr. Ayariga explained his tour was to assess compliance with laid down environmental standards following last Wednesday’s fire at the Goil fuel station at Nkrumah Circle.

Mahama Ayariga said a task force will lead a major campaign to clamp down on all illegal stations within the 3600-operating ecosystem.