Ghana Gas tightens security

The Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) has, in the wake of terror threats alert in the West African sub-region, has met with some key security heads in the country to assess threat levels and map out plans and strategies to enhance a collective protection of the nation’s premier gas infrastructure.

Officials of Ghana Gas, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Bureau of National Investigations and Ghana National Fire Service deliberated on protection for the Atuabo Gas Plant and its pipeline.

The meeting also discussed plans to enhance co-ordination and sharing of security information and strategies among the various security institutions within the eight project-affected districts of the gas project.

“We, at Ghana Gas, believe this will enhance ownership of the shared security concerns by all, including the security agencies, staff and the project-affected communities and improve the fight against threats such as terrorism and galamsey to the onshore pipeline,” Dr George Sipa Yankey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, noted at the meeting.

According to Dr Yankey, security is a shared responsibility, and, therefore, ordered for an immediate community engagement strategy aimed at heightening surveillance of the gas infrastructure.

“I, therefore, direct that we further strengthen our engagements with our host communities. Let us encourage them to recognise their shared dividends in the gas infrastructure,” he said.

He urged the stakeholder communities to be vigilant, cautious and curious and to report any unusual circumstances to the law enforcement agencies.

Security personnel guarding the facility expressed some concerns and asked Dr Yankey to take their concerns to the board and shareholders of the company.

Ghana Gas has taken advantage of the shutdown of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to undertake minor maintenance works in readiness of resumption of gas supply.

The National Security Council has previously met to review the security situation in the country following the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in West Africa.

The National Security concluded, based on multiple intelligence analysis, that there is a credible threat to countries in the sub-region, including Ghana.