Editorial
Ensure cylinder recirculation module is safe for consumers
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The implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Module (CRM) policy has delayed due to a number of factors, notable among them is the huge influx of refurbished cylinders in the Ghanaian market.
The CRM module is a “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketing model that involves filling LPG cylinders at large refilling plants and then supplying them (the filled cylinders) to consumers at specialised retail outlets called exchange points, where consumers exchange their empty cylinders for a filled one.”
The module,according to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA),will take effect from the second quarter of this year but it has not yet been operational. The pilot project which was initially started in six regions has also suffered some setbacks due to lack of bottling plants across the country and the low turnaround rate of the cylinders.
The NPA again revealed that there were very little cylinders in the system which made it difficult for the module to operate fully. It seems the infrastructure for the project is not ready.
According to Sigma Ghana, a multi-national company involved in the manufacturing of cylinders, refurbished cylinders, which come through the known and unknown points of entry were labelled as scraps which are not supposed to be sold to consumers because the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has not certified them hence the cylinders do not conform to the required health and safety standards.
This was revealed by the General Manager of the company, MrCarlo Zeitounian during a familiarisation tour by officials of the Ministry of Energy and NPA recently at the company’s facilities to ensure that the cylinders produced were of the highest quality and safe for consumers. According to him,the company had already received product certification from the GSA for the manufacture of cylinders.
It is obvious that when it becomes fully operational, the CRM will be of benefit to Ghanaians. These include increased access to LPG, ensuring sustainable supply, health and safety and addressing sub-standard cylinders which pose danger to consumers among others.
Fortunately, the ban placed on the construction and operations of new LPG facilities across the country in August 2017, by thegovernment, after the Atomic Junction gas explosion, has been lifted and the NPA has directed all those who were affected to resubmit applications for consideration. This is good news for them.
This directive was stated in a letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid after the 35th Sitting of cabinet on August 3, 2022, which among others, addressed concerns of the LPG Marketers Association of Ghana (LPGMAG).
Earlier, LPGMAG, the Ghana LPG Operations Association and the Tanker Drivers Association of Ghana declared an industrial action as they raised a number of concerns which were addressed by cabinet.
The Spectator hopes that LPGMAG will stick to their promise made after calling off their industrial action to ensure the availability of LPG throughout the country. In almost every home in Ghana, gas is used for various purposes and without it, life will be unbearable for many as the use of charcoal is being discouraged to conserve the environment.
The lifting of the ban is a great opportunity for businesses to invest in the industry as they can now consider setting up bottling plants across the country to create jobs for many Ghanaians.
The Spectator again hopes that with the lifting of the ban the government will put the necessary measures and infrastructure in place for the CRM to come into full operation without delay.
To ensure the availability of cylinders for the module, the NPA should collaborate with the private sector to supplement what comes from the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC).
The Spectator wishes to plead with would-be manufacturers of the LPG cylinders, those who intend to open new gas filling stations and the LPG Marketers Association not to be in haste but use the appropriate channels for certification before they resume operations.
We urge the NPA and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to be vigilant by ensuring that manufacturers produce to specifications so that the cylinders which will be circulated on the market will be of the highest quality to meet health and safety standards.
The NPA should educate the public regularly before the module comes into full operation.
There is also the need to ensure that defected cylinders are worked on before they are circulated into the system for use.
It is the hope of this paper that the regulatory authorities will ensure that the Cylinder Recirculation Module is safe for consumers.
Dear Editor,
Before we start blaming the government, the authorities and how bad our roads are, perhaps we should first ask ourselves what role we played in making our roads unsafe.
Road safety is often discussed as though it is solely the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies, neglecting our roles we play to make the roads unsafe.
While authorities have an important role to play, the behaviour of individual road users remains equally important.
A driver who speed, overtakes recklessly, uses phone while driving or drives when tired is making a decision that could affect many lives.
A motorcyclist who ignored traffic light and also refuse to wear a helmet, passengers who encourage the driver to speed and the pedestrians who crosses a busy road carelessly can also contribute to danger.
We must therefore develop a strong culture of personal responsibilities on our roads.
Drivers should obey speed limit, avoid distractions and ensure their vehicles are road worthy, passengers should also not encourage reckless driving simply because they want to arrive at their destination quickly whiles pedestrians must also exercise greater caution when crossing roads.
At the same time authorities must continue to improve road infrastructures, enforce traffic regulations consistently and educate the public about responsible road use.
Road safety cannot succeed through enforcement alone; it requires change in attitude. If each road user understand that another person’s life may depend on their decision, our road can become safer.
Let us not wait for another crash before we remember the value of life. Thank you for the space.
From Akwasi Aaron
Accra.
Dear Editor,
I was concerned by a point raised during a radio review about the growing expectation among some parents that once their children attend government schools, particularly under the Free SHS programme, the government must provide virtually everything they need.
This mindset deserves serious public discussion.
The introduction of Free SHS has undoubtedly lifted a significant financial burden from parents. Government is already absorbing substantial costs associated with the education of thousands of Ghanaian children. Students in public second-cycle institutions also benefit from provisions such as tuition support, meals and other essential services.
However, Free SHS should not be interpreted as free parenting. A parent should not expect the government to provide every personal item a child needs simply because the child attends a public school. Items such as mattresses, sponges, toiletries, clothing, chop boxes and other personal necessities should, where possible, remain part of the parent’s responsibility.
The same principle applies at the basic-school level. Government has a responsibility to provide quality education and create an enabling environment for children to learn. Parents, however, have an equally important responsibility to support their children’s education and welfare.
Government cannot and should not replace the family. When parents gradually transfer every responsibility to the state, we risk creating a culture of dependency in which citizens expect government to solve every personal problem. That is neither sustainable nor healthy for our development as a nation.
We must therefore appreciate the support government provides while recognising that education is a shared responsibility. Parents must continue to contribute according to their means, schools must do their part, and government must continue providing the necessary educational infrastructure and support. Rather than asking, “What else will government give us?” parents should also ask, “What can I do to support my child’s education?”
Free education is a public investment, not an invitation for parents to abandon their responsibilities. Ghanaians must therefore change the mentality that government must provide everything. The state can carry a significant portion of the burden, but the family must never surrender its responsibility.
Free SHS should make education more accessible not make parenting optional.
From Desmond Aidoo
Sowutuom
