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By Dominic Hlordzi The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has intensified its nationwide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Safety Campaign, extending the sensitization program to universities and other tertiary institutions across the country. The initiative, spearheaded by the Authority’s Consumer Services Directorate in collaboration with the Corporate Affairs and Gas Directorates, forms part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to promote the safe and efficient use of LPG, particularly in light of recent gas-related incidents recorded in some institutions, including the unfortunate explosion at the UDS–Nyankpala Campus involving two students. As part of this national sensitization drive, a team from the NPA, led by the Ag. Director of Consumer Services, Mrs. Eunice Budu Nyarko, visited the Northern and Upper East Regions to engage students of tertiary institutions and traders in some major markets on the health, safety, and environmental benefits of adopting LPG within a secure and well-regulated environment. The sessions included interactive demonstrations, open fora, and the distribution of educational materials to deepen awareness of safe LPG use. The team, which comprised a Supervisor at the Gas Directorate, Mr. Johnson Gbagbo Jnr; officials from the Consumer Services and Corporate Affairs Directorates; and representatives from the respective Regional Offices, visited the University for Development Studies (UDS–Dungu and Nyankpala Campuses) and the Tamale Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the Northern Region. In the Upper East Region, the team interacted with students of the Bolgatanga and Zuarungu Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges and traders at the Bolgatanga main market, among others. Delivering a presentation on LPG safety tips, Mr. Johnson Gbagbo Jnr conducted practical demonstrations on how to safely install, handle, and maintain LPG cylinders and accessories. He emphasized the importance of regular cylinder inspection, proper ventilation, and prompt response to gas leaks. Mr. Gbagbo further enlightened the students on the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), a key national policy aimed at ensuring safety in LPG distribution, and encouraged them to become advocates for safe LPG practices both on campus and within their communities. In her remarks, Mrs. Eunice Budu Nyarko underscored the health and environmental benefits of LPG over traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal. She cautioned that prolonged exposure to smoke from these fuels contributes significantly to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, while LPG offers a cleaner and safer alternative that aligns with the Authority’s sustainability and public health objectives. Regional Managers and their representatives, who were part of the team, also sensitized participants on the broader regulatory functions of the Authority, including the siting and licensing of fuel stations. They assured students and the general public that the NPA remains committed to maintaining safety standards across the downstream petroleum sector and operates an open-door policy to receive and address consumer concerns. Source link
