We have shut down gas stations until further notice - LPG marketers

Operators of LPG filling stations say they are yet to determine when to return - These operators are blaming government officials of extorting monies from them - Click here for the latest stories in Ghana Marketers of LPG say they are yet to determine the exact time to which they would resume after the closure of various filling stations across the country.  Early reports shows that the LPG Marketers Association had resolved to shut down all gas stations in the country so as to undergo maintenance works and restructuring to meet safety standards across the country. This move by the association has seen a deepen shortage of LPG across the country especially as LPG consumers line up in their numbers to find the available station to fill their empty cylinders. Meanwhile, some LPG stations are complaining of monies extorted from them by some government officials and assembly men who threaten to shut their stations should they fail to grease their palms. Vice chairman of the association, Gabriel Kumi says the development is affecting their line of operations. “We have assemblymen going round our stations that they want to close it down. There is a whole extortion business going on by this team,” he revealed in an interview with Citi FM.

So far, it remains unclear whether this move is a deliberate one to frustrate the supply of gas, considering that the LPG Marketers have vehemently kicked against government’s approach towards ensuring safety in the sector following the Atomic Junction explosion. Since the recent gas explosion at the Atomic Junction in Accra, government has resolved to introducing a gas re-circulation model which will see consumers exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones at specific filling points.