The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it will not hesitate to close down Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stations operating without recourse to safety guidelines.
The Ashanti Regional Director of EPA, Dr. Nyantakyi Adiyiah Jackson said LPG explosion-related deaths were unacceptable, hence the need for the agency to ensure that the guidelines for LPG operations in the country was enforced.
Among the key safety standards spelled out in the EPA permit issued to the LPG stations, are that, Managers and owners of the stations should ensure that they install water sprinklers at the stations, installatiom of functional temperature and pressure gauges as well as ensure that they operate in an environment devoid of highly inflammable materials, among others.
According Mr. Adiyiah, their outfit, after embarking on monitoring visit to LPG stations in the region, observed that safety have been compromised in most of the stations and that they identified education as the missing link.
Speaking at a sensitization and training for players in the LPG sector, which includes retailers, owners, and dealers, Mr. Adiyiah indicated that their oufit seeks to raise awareness about the hazards of LPG and the preventive mechanism available.
He said the training and sensitization were aimed at reducing radically the hazards associated with the usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Ghana.
After the training and sensitization, he said they will continue to monitor their operations to ensure that they comply with the safety requirements.
He warned that stations that failed to abide by the guidelines closed down for safety.
He also cautioned individuals in households to observe basic safety protocols on LPG to protect lives and property.
