Sunday, 27 June 2010

Bolgatanga BOST depot to be operationalised

17-06-2010


The Deputy Minister of Energy, Emmanuel Armah Buah has expressed his ministry’s readiness to operationalised all the seven Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) depots across the country.

This, he explained, is in a bid to ease pressure on the country’s oil refinery and also make life worth living for Ghanaians. Mr. Buah gave the assurance during his visit to the Bolgatanga BOST Depot at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The visit forms part of measures aimed at ensuring that all installations under BOST become functional.

Mr. Buah said the inspection tour to the various BOST installations has become necessary due to the numerous challenges facing the Tema Oil Refinery in terms of fuel shortage and frequent fire outbreaks.

He   emphasized  that the facilities when finally operationalised, will offer other neighbouring countries including Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger among others the opportunity to access petroleum products with ease.

This, according to Mr. Buah, would help in creating employment for the youth and also reduce road accidents caused by petroleum vehicles. Mr. Buah indicated that the Bolgatanga depot which is a strategic stock location would become functional between the month of July and August this year.

Mr. Buah noted that BOST has made the necessary business arrangement with Tema Oil Refinery to make readily available enough petroleum product for storage, hence the need to safeguard the facility to prevent encroachers.

The Bolgatanga BOST Depot Manager, Mr. Fred Ayarkwa said the facility has the capacity to procure, store, transport and manage petroleum products.

He said the facility can store about 34.5 million litres of diesel and 2 million litres of petrol.

Mr Buah  expressed the hope that the installation when functional will help address some of the challenges facing fuel companies in the region.

The Managing Director of BOST, Mr. Yaw Akoto said BOST as a limited liability Company, is poised to deliver on its mandate in ensuring that all the depots are given the needed attention it deserves.

 Meanwhile, the Deputy Energy Minister was taken round the Bolgatanga depot to inspect the progress of work made so far.

He was accompanied by the Board Chairman of BOST, Mr. Hudu Yahaya, and the Technical Director of BOST, Reverend Kwasi Sakyi Appiah among other board members of BOST.
GBC END IA/

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