Energy sector operators urged to ensure best environmental practices
Mr. Samuel Oteng, Principal Programme Officer at the Brong-Ahafo Regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has advised operators of the energy sector to ensure environmental best practices towards sustainable development.
He said because the energy sector is important to the country’s socio-economic development, the operators should adhere to environmental best practices to avoid negative affects on development.
Mr. Oteng gave the advice at a one-day seminar on environmental impact assessment, organized by the EPA for operators of the energy industry, in the Sunyani, Dormaa and Techiman areas, in the Brong-Ahafo Region, on Thursday.
The meeting discussed the impact of the performance of the operators on the environment in the region, and educated them on best environmental best practices, to promote health and safety and the socio-economic well-being of the people.
The participants drawn from Techiman, Yeji, Atebubu, Kwame Danso, Nkoranza, Wenchi, Tuobodom, Kintampo, Jema and Babatokuma in the Kintampo Municipality, comprised fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas station managers and personnel of the Media.
Issues discussed bordered on the acquisition of operational permits and certificates, traffic control and use of mobile sales and refilling gas cylinders, especially by drivers at the station as well as use of protective materials by workers.
The rest were operational and monitoring requirements, annual environmental report and Act 490 of 1994 and Legislative Instrument (LI) 1652 of 1999.
Mr. Oteng said as part of the Agency’s objective of promoting compliance with environmental regulations to ensure sustainable development, the EPA was instituted to enhance planning for the implementation of projects and programmes.
Source: GNA