NPA arrests 7 suspects for illegally operating a cylinder refurbishing facility
A team led by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has raided an illegal cylinder refurbishing facility at Makola in Accra and arrested seven suspects.
The operation was carried out together with the Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS) and the Ghana Police Service on Friday, 16 September 2022, following a tip-off.
The suspects were involved in “refurbishing damaged Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and re-introducing them into the market.”
According to a statement released by NPA on Monday, 19 September 2022, several cylinders and tools were ceased from the premises.
“Three trucks of ceased cylinders ranging from 5kg to 14.5kg, wielding tools, cutting, and grinding tools, paints and accessories were retrieved from them during the operation last Friday,” the release said.
Addressing the media after the operation, the Director of Gas at NPA, Mrs Akua Ntiwaa Kwakye, stated that upon the Authority’s investigations, they found out that the suspects were operating at the yard without permit and certification from the appropriate Authorities.
“It is obvious they are compromising on quality for their parochial interest at the detriment of the unsuspecting consumers of gas,” she said.
She added that these refurbished cylinders are major contributors to fire outbreaks in various marketplaces, workplaces, and homes.
Mrs Ntiwaa noted that the NPA’s intervention was critical because the country recorded several domestic fires that claimed lives and properties.
She added that it was imperative for all and sundry to condemn these negative acts.
Mr M. A. Korsah, Assistant Director of Safety at GNFS, also urged all consumers of LPG to be on the lookout for some of these substandard cylinders that have been re-introduced into the system.
Meanwhile, a similar operation by the GNFS and Ghana Police in August led to the arrest of four suspects who refurbished and sold abandoned LPG cylinders at Swanlake Masalachi in Accra.
The suspects reportedly took old cylinders and welded their worn-out metal portions before spraying them to be re-sold on the open market.