Filling station sandwiched between residential properties in Gbawe

Unhappy residents in Gbawe near Ablekuma in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are appealing to the government to stop a filling station from being built in the area.

The worried residents and owners of other facilities who are battling with the owner of a fuel station say the location of the fuel station, which is currently under construction, poses a grave danger to both shops and also residents around.

According to them, all efforts to stop the owner of the under-construction filling station have proved futile.

That situation left members of the Community with no other choice than to send a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) requesting for the immediate stopping of the project.

Residents say the siting of the fuel station right in the middle of residential facilities is a danger to them and to other businesses.

The petition reads in part: “With reference to our letter dated 20th February 2019 on the aforementioned subject, we wish to re-emphasize that the owner of the fuel station has revisited the activity to push ahead the project.”

It continues: “Foreseeing the danger that can occur in future if the project is not stopped, we wish to draw your attention, once again, to use your office to find a lasting solution to the matter.”

The petitioners went on to state that “we are kindly pleading with you to, as a matter of urgency, come and inspect where the fuel station is being constructed so that you will appreciate our concern.”

Meanwhile, some residents who could not hide their fear have demanded the immediate suspension of work on the fuel station.

“This is not a commercial area, but a residential area and also there was no stakeholder consultation before the construction began. We do not need a fuel station here,” a resident of Gbawe, Nii Mensah Akwanor, emphatically stated.

“We [the residents of Gbawe] are not happy about what is going on here—this filling station being built here will endanger our lives,” another resident, Mr. Emmanuel Asante, angrily said.