Vice President of the LPG Marketers Association of Ghana, Gabriel Kumi, has stated that no LPG management system can guarantee complete safety from accidents.

In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kumi explained that despite regulatory measures, the risks involved in LPG handling cannot be fully eradicated.

He also pointed out that the new Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), which lets consumers exchange empty cylinders for full ones at designated points, does not offer more safety than the current system.

“We are not sabotaging the model. However, if anyone tells you that the cylinder recirculation method is safer than the current system, that person should be questioned. We are working with gas, and no system is accident-free. What you need to do as a regulator is to take measures to improve safety,” he said.

Mr. Kumi cited a major explosion in Kenya that happened with a similar model, cautioning that Ghana might face similar risks if safety protocols are not strictly implemented.

“Imagine we pile about 100 to 200 cylinders, and, God forbid, a fire breaks out. A 14.5 kg cylinder can cause devastation up to half a kilometer wide.”

In response to accusations from Dr. Mustafa Hamid, Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), at the recent Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) that the LPG Marketing Companies Association opposed the new model, Mr. Kumi refuted these claims.

He recalled the disruptions that occurred when the government first proposed the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) in 2018/2019, noting that the industry initially opposed the model due to its implementation strategy.

Despite these objections, the government continued with the CRM plan through 2020 and 2021. The Association sought compensation for exiting the business, but the government cited financial constraints and rejected the idea of a compensation fund.

To find a middle ground, the Association proposed installing cages at the 800 LPG stations nationwide to manage both filled and empty cylinders, allowing the existing and new systems to run simultaneously. This suggestion was also rejected by the government.

“There is no transition plan for the new model. They want us to create a new exchange point for the new mode. There is already a declining market in the gas business. And the cylinder recirculation is being run by foreign and semi foreign companies.

“The NPA have aligned with these foreign companies and they can’t stand the competition we are giving them,” he added.

Watch the video below: