A pilot implementation of government’s Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) has been launched by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) at Jomoro in the Western Region with 3,983 total number of cylinders procured for the municipality.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mr.Alhassan Tampuli addressing the event said ,
“The cylinders have been procured to augment the cylinders you already have in your homes. All you need to do is to pick your empty cylinder, walk to the gas station and exchange it for a filled cylinder”.
As part of preparatory activities, these cylinders have been procured towards the pilot implementation of the project in that Municipality.
According to Mr. Tampuli, the cylinders are in different sizes ranging from 3kg, 6kg and 14.5kg which caters for the needs of everyone with regard to size of cylinder in the CRM pilot exercise and also indicated that, the procured cylinders, are currently being branded in the colours and logos of the LPG Marketing Companies.
Prior to the pilot project in the Municipality, a familiarization visit was done by members of the National CRM Implementation Committee and the NPA to engage Chiefs and the Municipal Assembly.
A technical team from the NPA has also paid working visits to all Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlets in Bamianko-Anyinase, Elubo, Ekpu and Jarway Wharf in the Municipality.
The Authority explained it earlier encountered shortages of CRM branded cylinders in Kade and Obuasi as a result of high demand and patronage of the policy since its inception.
However, Mr Tampuli said a buffer of 50 percent cylinders have been added to each LPG Marketing Company in order to augment what they already have in stock for distribution.
He then assured the gathering that, the NPA is ready to deal with possible challenges that may arise from the implementation of the policy.
He added,
“Government through this policy will create jobs for the people of Ghana, including those here in Jomoro and its environs. Direct job creation is estimated to be over 4,500 in relation to new jobs under the actors of the new value chain and door to door delivery services.”
The estimated 4,500 the NPA explained, would not affect current jobs of LPG Bulk Transporters, LPG Bulk Distribution Companies, and LPG Bulk Storage companies.
The Authority is determined to increasing access to LPG for domestic, commercial and industrial use from the current 25 percent level to 50 percent by 2030 through the CRM.
About the Cylinder Recirculation Model
Government developed the new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) policy to aim at curbing explosions, ensuring stringent monitoring mechanisms, as well as creating more job opportunities in the LPG retail market.
The Ministry of Energy then introduced a new policy directive for marketing and distribution of LPG in Ghana, using the Cylinder Re-circulation Model (CRM).
The aim of this policy is to ensure that 50 per cent of Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG for increased domestic, commercial and industrial usage by 2030.