‘We went through due diligence before operating’
Kodson Plus Company Limited, the franchise owners of the Cash Oil fuel station at Oyibi in the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), says due diligence was done before the outlet was opened for business.
According to the General Manager, Dr Lawrence Yao Addo, all standards were met before permits were issued by regulatory authorities and stakeholders as part of a process to ensure public safety.
Dr Addo was reacting to a petition filed by a resident of Oyibi, Roger Agyin, at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the closure of the fuel station over potential danger to residents of the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the EPA was yet to complete its investigation into the claims in the petition, which was the subject of a story published by The Ghanaian Times two months ago.
To buttress the claim of due diligence, Dr Addo, has submitted copies of permits from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), EPA, KMMA, and Ghana National Fire Service to The Ghanaian Times for independent verification.
“If the business would affect the community, we would not have gone ahead to construct it. The fuel tank is not hoisted overhead but buried underground and covered with concrete,” he said.
Dr Addo explained that security measures had been put in place to protect both staff and patrons of the station in compliance with the requirements set by the NPA and the assembly.
“The construction of the fuel station was not done overnight or at the blind side of the local authorities and interested stakeholders. The telephone numbers of the NPA and assembly were on a signpost at the site throughout the construction.
“Concerns and dissatisfaction should have been raised during construction. During the opening ceremony, chiefs and representatives of the assembly were present and pleased,” he said.
Recounting the genesis of the fuel station, Dr Addo said, the company acquired the land in 2020, got a “no objection” letter from the NPA, last year, and a construction permit in March this year, to proceed with work.
He said the company satisfied all requirements to qualify for permits from other regulatory bodies; EPA, GNFS, and the Assembly for the completion of the station which was opened for business on June 6, of this year.
Since then, he said the facility had created jobs for about 40 residents of the area who had been employed in roles including drivers, attendants, supervisors, and security.
He assured stakeholders that the facility would continue to comply with safety standards to protect the community and called on residents to support indigenous businesses to spur their socio-economic growth.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR