www.padfm.com.gh / Savannah region, Ghana.
The NDC in the Damongo constituency of the Savannah region is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act now to save the lives and livelihoods of the public by stopping a supposed fuel service station at Abingakura in the Damongo township being put up by the regional minister.
In a statement signed by the Communication Officer of the NDC, Mumuni Yahaya, it states “At minimum, filling stations should be located 100m from any public institution such as a school, church, public library, auditoriums, hospitals, playground, etcetera; with the distance between one fuel station to another being pegged at 150m.
The area of land to be developed should be sufficient enough to allow maneuvering of vehicles within its cartilage but should not be less than 1100 square meters with a minimum frontage of 9m on primary street”.
The party also hints of a massive protest if the EPA failed to act now. “Lives and livelihoods are at risk and we’ll not sit aloof and allow this to happen. We intend to protest against this action in the coming days”.
Read below the detailed press release by the NDC in the Damongo constituency.
The Communication Bureau – National Democratic Congress, Damongo Constituency
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
Looming danger for students as Savannah Regional Minister puts up a service station at the heart of town close to public institutions
Ladies and gentlemen, our attention has been drawn to the construction of a fuel service station close to Jakpa Junior High School which is against the general rule of establishment.
From our preliminary investigations, this brazen act of disorder is being conducted by not less a person but the Savannah Regional Minister at the heart of town of which complaints from the public is rife.
Indeed, ever since our attention has been drawn to this anomaly, many are the public outcry especially, from students around Jakpa Junior High School and some residents and businessmen about the development. There is a public concern as there is a looming danger if the act is not stopped.
The most unfortunate aspect of this is that, we are told the Regional minister has the support and backing of the Damongo MP who doubles as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor to perpetuate this public disorder at the expense of lives, properties and livelihoods of others.
As a general rule, a petrol filling station and storage tanks we all know is supposed to be licensed and regulated to conform with minimum standard that meets basic safety, health, operational and environmental safety.
An Environmental Impact Assessment is supposed to be conducted before the construction and licensing of such a facility.
At minimum, filling stations should be located 100m from any public institution such as a school, church, public library, auditoriums, hospitals, playground, etcetera; with the distance between one fuel station to another being pegged at 150m.
The area of land to be developed should be sufficient enough to allow maneuvering of vehicles within its cartilage but should not be less than 1100 square meters with a minimum frontage of 9m on primary street.
Equally important is the fact that, a petrol pumps is supposed to be located a minimum of 30m from any residential building.
If these general guidelines are anything to go by, we are questioning the legitimacy of the said fuel station supposedly owed by the Savannah Regional Minister at such a location.
The service station being developed by Petrosol Ghana Limited at Abingakura in the West Gonja Municipal with a permit number WGMA/AT/FS/2011 and an NPA number: NPA/IML/OMC/86/14 does not conform to the general rule of public safety and conduct.
The lives of the students around fuel service station as well as residents would be endangered if we all look on unconcerned for this illegality to be perpetuated.
The Environmental Protection Agency should come clean on this matter. They should make public the Environmental Impact Assessment report conducted on the facility to allay the fears of the public and the poor students. We don’t want to believe what we are hearing that they have been compromised and bribed to look on helpless whilst the future of our students is endangered. EPA must move in and stop this illegal act or risk their image.
The West Gonja Municipal Assembly should tell us the necessary precautionary measures and environmental safety on which basis the permit was issued to endanger the lives of students and residents for whose reason the assembly exist.
We have also become well aware that out of a desperate attempt to set up the said service station at the designated point at all cost, businesses within the vicinity have been asked to fold up and vacate the premises just to satisfy a powerful government figure who is not above the law.
A renowned businessman, Jimah Ibrahim (Keshenteng bo afe) who is legitimately operating a metal and fabrication shop with the necessary documentation is one of those affected persons. His shop alone employs more than 30 residents of Damongo,but is being asked to forcefully vocate to make way for a fuel station to be located at place not designated as per the rules of public safety.
Many businesses aside that of Jimah are having to suffer this unfortunate faith just to protect the interest of a single person.
We are by this press statement calling on the Environmental Protection Agency and all the necessary stakeholders to intervene and calm the waters in this matter.
Lives and livelihoods are at risk and we’ll not sit aloof and allow this to happen. We intend to protest against this action in the coming days.
We also wish to call on the Damongo Youth Parliament which represent the biggest youth voice to add their youthful voices to this matter and be counted as it pertains to the future development of the municipality and pose a risk to public safety. The time to act is now.
The safety and security of our students matter most above all else.
We will keenly be following this development and Keep the public abreast with the unfolding issues as and when it’s necessary.
It is our responsibility as a social democratic party to stand with the people against oppression.
May Allah bless us all.
Signed.
Mumuni Yahaya (Kiyoyo)
(Communication Officer)
0241279158
www.padfm.com.gh / zulqanoah16@gmail.com
