Lives cannot be lost at expense of financial gains – NPA boss on CRM implementation

The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that thee Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) is fully implemented.

Hassan Tampuli said following consultations with industry stakeholders, consumers and interested parties, he is confident consumers can no longer tolerate any fires relating to petroleum.

Speaking at a CRM regional stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga in the Upper East region Tuesday, he said urged those opposing the new model to take a second look at their stance.

“We have had a number of consultations with Members of the Council of State, Members of the National House of Chiefs, the Asantehene, Parliament Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Regional Houses of Chiefs, residents of Nima, Kotobaabi, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Western region respectively, as well as the media in Volta, Eastern, Northern and Brong-Ahafo,” he said.

Mr Tampuli said too many lives have been lost in gas explosions and the situation has to change for the better.

“Indeed we cannot forget the unfortunate incident of June 3rd 2015 in which a number of lives were lost. Neither can we forget the infamous Atomic Junction gas explosion which shook the country in the last quarter of 2017.

“Another avoidable gas explosion occurred at trinity gas station in Krofrom in the Ashanti region, killing two people, injuring several others and properties worth millions of cedis destroyed,” he said.

He said lives cannot be lost at the expense of financial gains.

Some participants encouraged NPA not to give in to persons deliberately frustrating its efforts to address challenges regarding customers’ safety.

The participants said the Authority needs to step up its public education because not many people are aware of the issues articulated at the engagement.

“There are too many lives that have already been lost, we cannot wait for another disaster to befall others,” a participant with the Police Wives Association said.