Hassan Tampuli and other officials during the Trinity Gas Station
THE TRINITY Gas Station at Krofrom in Kumasi, where a deadly explosion claimed two lives on Tuesday, has been closed down indefinitely.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has insisted the place is not conducive for operations; hence it has closed down the station until further notice.
“The Trinity Gas Station is closed down until further notice”, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli, told newsmen yesterday.
He was speaking when he toured the premises of Trinity Gas Station to personally assess the extent of damage that was caused at the place.
The CEO of NPA was accompanied by the Deputy Energy Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Anta, and Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, among others.
He said: “The NPA, NADMO and the Ghana National Fire Service have done assessment, awaiting the final report to confirm the cause of the blast”.
“For now, we know an untrained staff tried to fix a leakage problem whilst they were still dispensing gas to customers and it started the fire,” he added.
He disclosed that about 26 gas stations are currently in Kumasi, and out of them, a staggering 23 stations are classified as ‘high risk’, with three as ‘medium risk’.
Mr. Tampuli announced that most of the gas stations would be closed down for safety reasons because they are positioned at densely populated areas.
He said the KMA should assist the NPA to find suitable areas to set up vantage gas stations, adding that the safety and security of the people is dear to the NPA.
The Deputy Energy Minister also stressed the need for the KMA to assist to get suitable places to set up vantage gas stations.
Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi vehemently debunked reports that the KMA was responsible for the massive explosion at the Trinity Gas Station.
According to him, the gas explosion occurred because of a mistake of a staff of the station, who tried to repair a faulty machine he had no knowledge of.
“Don’t blame the KMA wrongly”, the KMA Chief stated categorically, adding that “the assembly is doing its best to make Kumasi safe for the residents”.
pix saved as Hassan Tampuli in 2018
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,Kumasi