More fuel stations to be closed down soon – Ayariga

Fuel station operators would have to brace themselves up for more rigorous checks following notice from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation that it will close down more fuel stations sighted on waterways.

The move forms part of measures to prevent a recurrence of the June 3 fire and flood disaster which claimed over 150 lives.

“The closure is ongoing. We have more than 3,400 fuel stations in the country and even this morning my deputies sent me a message about some stations sighted on waterways. I can assure you that both the NPA and the EPA are going round to ensure that these fuel stations are closed down,” the Minister, Mahama Ayariga revealed on the Citi Breakfast Show.

The Minister and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have already closed down about four filling stations in the Greater Accra region.

The Minister and the EPA earlier explained that those filling stations were closed down because they did not have the permit to operate in the areas they were located.

They further stated that the move will prevent flooding in residential areas around these filling stations.

The Minister also revealed that a spatial development bill which aims to re-organise the institutions that are all now involved in processing application for land development, planning cities among others had been laid before Parliament.

“We need to build strong institutions and simplify the law so yesterday we introduced the Cabinet land use and spatial development bill which is to reorganise the institutions that are all now involved in processing applications for land development, planning the cities, zoning, rezoning and also looking at the laws to make it simpler.”

He disclosed that his outfit will go on a roadshow after the bill has been laid before Parliament and debated to give Ghanaians an opportunity to appreciate the institutional architecture government has been undertaking.

Mr. Ayariga pointed out that a day after the tragic incident, there were heavy rains the next day at the same area but it was not flooded because government had desilted and dredged the Odaw river.

He was however quick to add that a valve constructed under the Korle Lagoon restoration project was blocked because of the debris and other particles that had entered it.

He further remarked that there are several areas across the city that will be desilted to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

“…There are several areas across the city that needs to be desilted so that work will continue and I believe that those are the things that will address the issue to ensure that we don’t experience flooding,” the Minister said.

Source:ghanaweb.com