The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors Senyo Hosi has disagreed to government’s proposed formulation of a 'new' policy to regulate the activities of gas stations in the country.
“One of the fundamental things we have to do when we have problems is to deal with them. Talking about a new policy is not the solution to the problem.†he said.
According to Mr Hosi, the execution of already existing laws and constant supervision would prevent gas station disasters.
“It is not to say that a new policy is not necessarily welcome…but the problem you have at hand has to do with the concept of accountability that is totally absent in the management of the sector,†he added.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during a tour of the area on Sunday indicated that a new policy will be formulated to deal with safety concerns once and for all.
Many other stakeholders have also called for a new policy to be formulated.
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Speaking in an interview, Senyo Hosi said governments over the years has avoided the real issues and failed to stamp its authority to ensure that the right things are done regardless of who is involved.
 “It has to do with us purely enforcing the rules. The rules are there, people breach them and when you breach them we hold people accountable, but we never hold anybody accountable and that is the failing of government.â€
When the disaster happens politicians just move around, show empathy here and there and then nothing much happens, he said.
 “The responsibility for the discharge of cargo at a station sits with the supervisor, not a driver. A driver is just an operator but there is someone who has to be responsible to ensure that the entire infrastructure in the truck has the integrity to do the discharge right. The supervisor is supposed to have the skill, it is part of the requirement for operating a station.â€
"Who are we holding accountable for the loss of lives, who is going to lose his job for this, who is going to go to prison for this, who is going to pay for the loss of lives and the loss of property and the embarrassment this has caused the state," he asked.
Mr Hosi urged the president to fire irresponsible appointees and hold people who fail in the discharge of their duties accountable.
Read also:  Gas explosion: President demands support for new safety policies
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