Don’t Blame Us For Atomic Gas Explosion- EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it cannot receive blame for the recent gas explosion that occurred at Atomic Junction in Accra last Saturday.

According to the Executive Director of the Agency, Mr Peter Abum Sarkodie, the EPA has done all that is required of them constitutionally to ensure that fuel and gas operators adhere to safety standards.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Sarkodie said Ghanaians must begin to look beyond the permits that the EPA gives to these operators, adding that though the permits help to control some of the problems they face, the real problem was emanating from the operators.

“We can visit the facility which we do but when you are not there, there is a responsibility on the operator to ensure that what he is operating is safe and sound,” he noted.

Mr. Sarkodie therefore called on the general public to draw their attention to any abnormalities spotted at any fuel or gas station.

The Executive Director revealed that after the June 3 disaster, they had observed that most of the facilities were not having the technical skills to man the outlets both at the supervisory level and at the fuel pumps and for this reason safety measures were compromised.

He was however quick to say that even after the permits were issued they did consistent monitoring of the outlets and whenever they found an operator lacking in safety standards, they quickly revoke the license until those shortfalls were corrected.

These intense monitoring the EPA says has led to the closure of some fuel and gas stations in the capital.

The EPA has begun investigations into the recent gas explosion and promised to make finding available to the public.

Source: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]