Residents of New Bakanta in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, have appealed to regulatory bodies in the petroleum industry, to take pragmatic steps to stop the siting of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) filling station at a residential area, which is also close to River Ebi.
According to them, the gas filling station could pose danger to human life and property in the event of any unforeseen eventuality, and asked the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders, to act immediately to stop the said development.
The appeal is in a statement issued and jointly signed by the Chief of New Bakanta, Nana Ackah Nwozah III, and othertraditional rulers, copied to regulatory bodies in the petroleum sector.
The bodies or stakeholders, include the Chief Executive Officer of NPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ellembelle District Chief Executive, Ghana Highway Authority, the Western Regional Minister and the Ghana National Fire Service.
The statement noted that the land on which the LPG station was being sited had been reserved for human settlement and currently occupied by artisans, adding that the place is closed to River Ebi, which is a source of drinking waterfor the people.
It noted that some residents used open fire to cook and the siting of a filling station in the area could pose risk to residents.
The statement said that additionally, the gas filling station was closer to River Ebi and wetlands, putting the people at risk of contamination from effluent discharge, adding that it could destroy flora and fauna in the area and affect the livelihood of people in the community.
It said the site for the filling station was currently in dispute resulting in litigation between the people of Bakanta and Ambainu. – GNA