No Need To Own Cylinder: Pick Up, Pay For Content
Starting in September of this year, residents of Accra and certain areas in Ghana will no longer need to own their own gas cylinders to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Instead, they will be able to pick up filled cylinders and pay for the gas content after registering with their National Identity Card.
This change is a result of the phased implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), led by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ministry of Energy.
The rollout of this new model will commence in Accra and Kumasi and gradually expand across the country.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Perry Okudzeto, stated that the CRM has been successfully piloted and the necessary infrastructure is now in place to ensure safe LPG delivery and usage.
ALSO CHECK: Sarkodie Performs In Minnesota For The First Time
Under the CRM, consumers will register with their Ghana Card at exchange points to collect data for traceability.
The policy involves filling cylinders at bottling plants and transporting them to exchange depots. Specialized trucks will then transport the filled cylinders to retail stations or exchange points, where consumers can swap their empty cylinders for filled ones.
The goal of the Cylinder Recirculation Model is to provide safe, clean, and environmentally-friendly LPG access to at least 50% of Ghanaians by 2030.
The policy aims to enhance LPG access, safety, and adoption, and to prevent accidents caused by human error.
The Deputy CEO of the NPA assured that the new model would not affect the price of LPG, and consumers would be able to purchase various cylinder sizes according to their budget.
The existing distribution system will continue to run alongside the new model for a transition period determined through stakeholder consultation.
Industry players have been engaged and their input incorporated into the framework. Licensing for businesses to market LPG under the new policy is the next step, and the NPA has been collaborating with banks to facilitate financing for industry investment.
The readiness of the facilities and systems was demonstrated through a guided tour of bottling and manufacturing facilities by the NPA. The rollout is expected to streamline LPG distribution, improve safety, and enhance consumer convenience.
