GLiPGOA calls for redefinition of LPG Promotion Policy
The Ghana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Operators Association (GLiPGOA) has called on the government to redefine the LPG Promotion Policy as it does not address the issues of Safety and Penetration.
According to the group, the current implementation of the policy will rather dwindle patronage and eventually kill the LPG market.
The association in a press statement said, “We therefore call on Cabinet to redefine the LPG Promotion Policy and support Operators to extend our services to the rural areas in order to extend Penetration whiles ensuring Safety”.
The group also accused the regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) of intimidating its members to cower into accepting a policy that is at best, inimical to the growth of their business
“We are also sounding a note of caution to NPA and its unseen collaborators to desist from acts of intimidation calculated to make LPG Operators cower in to accept a policy that is at best inimical to growth, business and does not solve the Safety and Penetration problems for which reason its being implemented.”
Ghana’s Rural LPG Promotion Program seeks to promote access to LPG by 50% of the population by 2020. However, fuel cost, poor access to LPG service points and an inadequate implementation framework appears to be hindering the smooth implementation of the programme.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
REDEFINE LPG PROMOTION POLICY
GLiPGOA is not against government policies which seek to improve the lives of the people of Ghana.
However, GLiPGOA has made several attempts to make positive inputs into the general LPG Promotion Policy in order to improve SAFETY and PENETRATION but to no avail.
The implementer of the policy keeps saying, “It is Cabinet decision”.
Note that although Cabinet can formulate policies, it cannot do so without serious consultation with the main Stakeholders who are indigenous Ghanaians.
GLiPGOA is of the view that CRM policy does not address the issues of Safety and Penetration.
Indeed, the way CRM policy seeks to be implemented will kill the LPG business.
The Filling Plant margin will also add to the already high price of LPG currently and this, in our view, will rather dwindle patronage and eventually kill the LPG market.
Note also that the CRM policy was practiced in Ghana in the 90’s and abandoned hence the current system has been nurtured to this level.
Why the need to go backward anyway?
The regulator (NPA) has recommended Safety measures to upgrade most LPG stations. Noting the good move, GLiPGOA has pushed Operators to comply.
So, we are neither interested in “Piloting nor CRM itself”. We are also sounding a note of caution to NPA and its unseen collaborators to desist from acts of intimidation calculated to make LPG Operators cower in to accept a policy that is at best inimical to growth, business and does not solve the Safety and Penetration problems for which reason its being implemented.
We therefore call on Cabinet to redefine the LPG Promotion Policy and support Operators to extend our services to the rural areas in order to extend Penetration whiles ensuring Safety.
Signed
Ashanti Region, GLiPGOA