The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has undertaken a late-night inspection of petroleum depots in Tema to assess the implementation of the pilot phase of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme in the downstream petroleum sector.
The monitoring exercise brought together key stakeholders, including the Lead for Energy at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, Roland Azuguvu; Director for the 24-Hour Programme at the Ghana Police Service, ACP Benjamin Ania; Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP Asiedu; the National Security Council Secretariat’s liaison for the programme, Air Commodore Francis Ayamba; directors of the NPA; and officials from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The team engaged management and staff of participating depots to evaluate progress and identify measures to improve implementation of the initiative.
According to the NPA, operators reported encouraging results since the pilot began, citing increased productivity, longer operating hours, expanded work shifts, higher employment levels and growth in fuel volumes handled and revenue generated.
The depot operators, however, identified improved lighting and enhanced security as key requirements to support round-the-clock operations and ensure the long-term success of the programme.
The pilot phase covers 247 retail fuel stations, 11 petroleum depots and two refineries across the country.
It is designed to assess the feasibility of extending operational hours in the downstream petroleum industry while evaluating infrastructure readiness, workforce capacity, security arrangements and regulatory compliance.
The exercise also seeks to improve the availability and accessibility of petroleum products, while generating data on employment creation, revenue growth, consumer demand and service delivery to guide the nationwide rollout of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme.
Mr. Tameklo reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to working with industry players and relevant state institutions to address operational challenges and ensure the successful implementation of the initiative, which is expected to enhance productivity and stimulate economic activity within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
Source: businesspostonline
