[ 2016-08-28 ]

Disaster awaits Kumasi residents as unauthorized fuel stations increase
The unauthorized trade of wayside fuel dealers in
the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, is posing a
threat to life and property.

Under the National Petroleum authority Act, Act
691 of 2005, it is illegal to sell petroleum
products without a license, but wayside fuel
dealers in the Region are enjoying a high
patronage from both commercial and private
motorists.

Section 32 (1) states,’’ A person, other than
a person licensed under this Act, shall not (a)
sell or offer for sale a petroleum product, or (b)
be in possession of a petroleum product in
quantities unreasonably in excess of that person's
immediate requirement, or (c) receive a petroleum
product for sale’’.

The provision does not apply to petty trading in
kerosene.

This law is, however, being breached with impunity
in Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region.

In 2014 the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)
embarked on a three-day exercise to clamp down on
the illegal sale of petroleum products.

That effort appears to have made little or no
impact as sales points spring up again amidst
complaints from residents that their lives are
being endangered.

They say these stations do not adhere to safety
measures and they are having a field day and no
one is checking them.

One of the dealers at Ahinsan who spoke to Luv
News acknowledges the practice is dangerous but
says he doesn’t know it is illegal.

Regarding the question of where they get their
supplies from, the illegal dealers have been
tight-lipped about it and are reluctant to
disclose who brings them fuel.

When Luv News contacted the Kumasi offices of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they said
they are unaware of the existence of these
unauthorized fuel stations.

Source - Ghana I Luv FM I Kwasi Debrah

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