UE REGIONAL MINISTER KICK AGAINST CITING OF FUEL STATIONS ALONG BORDER TOWNS

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga There have been concerns raised over the indiscriminate springing up and building of fuel stations along border towns in the Upper East Region. The phenomenon, observers believe have made it easier for some people in the region to smuggle petroleum products to neighboring countries especially Togo and Burkina Faso. Speaking in an interaction with stakeholders in Bolgatanga, the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo noted that the ever increasing number of fuel station, particularly in border towns of the region was worrisome. “Between Navrongo and Paga, a distance of about just about 5 kilometers, there are about 12 filling station and indications are that more are coming up. This is simply unacceptable. How many cars do we have in this region to warrant such high number of filling stations? There need to keep an eye on springing up of filling stations”, he said. While calling on the Municipal and District Security Committees to put in place mechanisms and also step up surveillance on the smuggling of petroleum products, Mr. Woyongo also urged licensing and approval authorities to the review the process of granting license to stations that are likely to be built close to border areas. The Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Mrs. Zenabu Wasai-King said upon receiving an application, EPA writes to the respective district assembly to check whether such land had been earmarked for such purpose and whether the necessary preconditions for the building of such a facility had been met before final endorsement is given. She therefore called for greater collaboration among Municipal and District Assemblies, the Survey Department and the Town and Country Planning offices in the region to curtail the indiscriminate erection of such facilities close to border areas. -End- August 20,2012