Need to update policy on LPG - Consultant

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA – Dr Kwabena Donkor, an Energy Consultant has called for a review of the policy on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to address the frequent shortages of the commodity in the country.

“The country has failed to update the LPG policy, making it outmoded,” he added.

Dr Donkor made the call at a forum organised by the Research and Advocacy Platform, a political advocacy group in the country in Accra on improving LPG Supply.

He also called for an all-inclusive political parties committee to discuss the LPG shortage from the national perspective to make the commodity available to consumers.

Dr Donkor said the shortage of LPG should also be viewed from the increase in its usage because more people had now developed interest in its usage.

He pointed out that the commodity had now become a transportation fuel for vehicles, and government paying subsidy for vehicles to use the commodity, there would be a problem.

Dr Donkor urged the media to take up the policy issue and pursue the appropriate authority tasked to come out with a new policy to address the shortage.

Mr Alex Mould, Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority, said government was investing more resources in the improvement of the LPG infrastructure to increase supply of the commodity to consumers.

He appealed to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority to register vehicles, who had converted to gas usage to examine them for safety.

“Sixty per cent of LPG usage in the country is by vehicles,” he added.

Mr Mould said available statistics indicated that LPG usage nation-wide showed Greater Accra Region consumption of 39 per cent, Ashanti Region 19 per cent, Western Region 11 per cent, Central Region, nine per cent, Volta Region 6.7 per cent while Northern, Upper East and West Regions consume three per cent.

He announced that the commodity would be available within some few weeks as a short term plan.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information said Cabinet would meet soon to take critical decision on the issue.