Ensure adherence to safety at gas refill plants - GRIDCo CEO tells regulatory bodies
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Mr William Amuna, has challenged regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), to come out with effective monitoring systems to enforce adherence to safety measures at gas refill plants.
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Attributing the recent explosions at gas refill plants to the failure of operators to adhere to safety measurement standards, Mr Amuna said that was necessary to curb such explosions.
The CEO was speaking at a public forum to mark this year’s World Metrology Day in Accra yesterday. He underscored the need for a comprehensive policy to enforce standards at the fuel and gas stations to curtail the loss of lives and property.
In recent times, there have been gas explosions in some gas refill stations in parts of the country, leading to the loss of lives, injuries and the destruction of property.
World Metrology Day
The World Metrology Day is an annual event held in commemoration of the signing of ‘Metre Conversion’ in 1875, an event that provided the basis for a coherent measurement system worldwide.
The day is marked to celebrate national and international metrology institutions towards the provision of accurate measurements.
Locally, this year’s event was celebrated on the theme: “Measurements for Transport,” and brought together players in the transport industry, including the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Inter City STC Coaches Limited and Consumer Protection Agency (CPA).
Standards
In a speech delivered on his behalf at the event, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kojo Kyerematen, urged transport operators to adhere to safety standards in their line of duty.
He said given the critical role that the transport sector played in national development, it was important for the GSA to ensure that the operators complied with safety standards.
He said the Trade Ministry would rely on the GSA for information on measurement and safety standards to formulate and implement policies to improve the transport sector.
“Our water, gas, and electricity need to be transported from their source to the point of use in the same way as much of the produce such as vegetables, meat,and other staples need to be transported to the local market.
“Hence, operators in the transport industry, including road, rail, air and water ought to adhere to acceptable measurement standards,” he said.
Collaboration
Mr Kyerematen described the theme as appropriate, stressing that the government was committed to collaborating with the GSA and other stakeholders to roll out mechanisms to improve the transport sector.
He said that was a major step to enhance the speedy growth of the local economy and boost international trade relations.
The acting Executive Director of the GSA, Mr Frank Kofi Nagetey, emphasised the need for all existing transport systems to meet the increasing standard requirements.
“Every type of transport, from bicycle to container ships, from cars to spacecraft, are required to meet appropriate standards, including rapid weighing of shipping containers to ensure safety,” he said.
He urged stakeholders, such as researchers, manufacturers, regulatory institutions, traders and the business community to collaborate with the GSA to implement measurement standards in the country.