Environmental Protection Agency closes down ten fuel stations

A total of 10 fuel filling stations in the Eastern Region have been closed down by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to obtain permits and not meeting safety requirements.

The closure followed the expiry of a 90- day ultimatum given by the EPA to all fuel stations, which had no permit of operation to ensure the safety of their workers and the general public and also to minimize the effects of their activities on the environment.

The fuel stations include Allied Oil, Fraga Oil, Barnor, Unity and Goil at Akwatia, Kade, Asuom, Suhum and in parts of the Asuogyaman District.

The Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Addo Okyireh, who told the GNA in an interview at Koforidua on Monday, said every fuel station needs the permit of the EPA, which among others, guarantees the safety of workers and ensures that environmental conditions are good for the operations.

Mr Okyireh indicated that most of the fuel stations were operating without permits from the EPA, which he said, had necessitated the action.

He urged all fuel stations managers who had not done so to rectify the anomaly or else face closure of their facilities.

According to him, the EPA permits ensure that workers at the fuel stations have protective clothing and toilet facilities. It also requires pavement for the public and oil leakage measures.

He noted that in some cases, in spite of their permit, the stations were operating without any of those requirements.

He cited GOIL at Suhum, which he said had no permit and had left an uncovered underground oil storage tank that flows to contaminate water from boreholes in the area.

Source: GNA