Gov't to open kerosene distribution outlets in every district

Nadowli (Upper West) 27 June 2002- The Energy Commission in collaboration with Ghana Oil (GOIL) would establish 1,200 kerosene distribution outlets nationwide by December 2004. There would be 20 certified retail outlets in each district selling at officially approved prices.

Mr Patrick Affum, Assistant Development Planning Officer of Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development said this at Nadowli during a day's workshop on educational campaign on the judicious use of energy. The workshop, which was organised by the Energy Commission and sponsored by World Bank, attracted about 40 participants from the Nadowli and Jirapa-Lambussie Districts.

Mr Affum said the country had been demarcated into zones to ensure effective monitoring of the programme. Zone one comprised Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, Zone two had Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions, Zone three has Central and Western Regions while Zone four consists of Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra Regions.

Mr Affum said under the first phase of the programme five tanks would be given to each district. He said any private investor interested in the distribution would have to apply to district assemblies and adhere strictly to the officially approved prices of the government.

Mr Victor Owes, Communication Co-ordinator, said the Energy Commission was seeking ways of establishing alternative sources of energy, partly due to the erratic rainfall pattern of the country, which was making hydro-electricity unreliable. He said the search for alternative sources of energy had become imperative now than before due to the high depletion of forests for fuel wood and the high cost of crude oil used for Aboadze Thermal Plant.

Mr. Owusu said plans were advanced to develop wind energy particularly, in the coastal areas to generate energy for rural areas. Apart from being the cheapest, wind energy was also the most available in terms of raw materials, he added.