The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Tuesday organised a regional stakeholders forum in Cape Coast to solicit support for the smooth implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation Model (CRM).
The CRM is a project under the National Liquefied petroleum Gas (LPG) policy which seeks to ensure that there is robust, health standardized, safety and environmental friendly practices in the production, marketing and consumption of LPG in the country.
The forum, which was held under the theme: "CRM: Creating more Jobs, Securing Our Safety", brought together stakeholders including traditional leaders, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, LPG marketers, the media and the public.
Mr Alhassan Tampuli, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), said the policy sought to provide direction on marketing and distribution of LPG in a safe and efficient manner and as well as increase access to LPG nationwide.
He said it would also ensure that at least 50 percent LPG consumers have access to safe, affordable and good environmentally friendly LPG for commercial, industrial and domestic use by 2030.
He said the project would create over 4,500 direct new jobs under the actors of the new value chain and door to door delivery services.
This, he said, would not affect the current jobs of LPG Bulk Transporters, LPG Bulk Distribution Companies, and LPG Bulk Storage companies.
He said all relevant licenses would be issued and safety protocol keenly observed to secure the safety of Ghanaians.
Mrs Sheila Abiemo, the Director of Projects and Technical Aide to the Chief Executive, said the full implementation of the CRM would see empty cylinders at retail outlets transported to bottling plants for refilling for onward distribution.
She said new consumers who did not have cylinders would deposits certain amount for new ones.
The LPG Marketing Companies would be responsible for procuring, branding, and maintaining the cylinders, Mrs Abiemo said.
She said specialised trucks would be used to transport the filled cylinders from the bottling plants to the retail stations or exchange points, where consumers would exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones.
Mr Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, said 67 high risk LPG outlets would be converted into cylinder distribution centers under the CRM to increase the low risk of auto gas refilling in the Central Region.
He said NPA under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy is driving the change in the methodology of LPG distribution and consumption in the country and called on the public to embrace the change.
He allayed the fears of any job losses saying "government is fully aware of the local content law which stipulates that a venture like this should be fully reserved for Ghanaian equity participation, non-Ghanaians will not be allowed to operate under the model".