NPA rolls out 24-Hour pilot programme in the downstream petroleum sector for employment generation
Report by Ben LARYEA
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced that 268 fuel stations, 8 depots and 2 refineries will operate on a pilot phase in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Northern Regions as part of the 24-Hour economy programme within the downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking at the launch of the pilot programme in the petroleum downstream industry, the Chief Executive Office (CEO) of NPA, Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tameklo said the programme is geared towards uninterrupted fuel availability, creation of jobs, reduce congestion and enhance efficiency across key sectors in the petroleum value chain.
The programme he added, will enhance operations across bulk storage depots, retail outlets, LPG stations, refineries, granites among others in the bid to create easy access to consumers and explained that the programme feeds into government vision for job growth and development of the country.
He further added that, the pilot phase will enable NPA to refine operational models and ensure that systems put in place are safe and sustainable, saying the Authority have roll out the needed mechanisms to ensure also that the entire operations in the regions are successful.
The CEO said the 24-hour economy policy has been one of the flagship initiatives of government to address unemployment by engaging institutions to operate on shift systems as part of the drive to create more jobs across the country.
Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh assured industry players of maximum security in their respective working fields as government is working fervently for the full implementation of the 24-Hour economy programme.
He said the downstream petroleum sector was one of the selected on pilot phase and the programme will run for six months since the Ghanaian economies have operated on a single shift as compared to others that operates on 3 shifts systems, adding that the pilot programme will run for six months.
The Deputy Minister For Energy and Green Transition, Mr. Richard Gyan Mensah said his outfit is working closely with all agencies under the ministry as part of the effort to scale up the successful implementation of the programme.
He however commended the NPA for spearheading the initiative with all sector players to ensure that the programme achieves the needed results on the pilot phase in the bid to generate the requisite jobs within downstream petroleum sector for the unemployed Ghanaians .
