The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has issued a stringent directive mandating immediate implementation of comprehensive safety measures at fuel stations impacted by recent widespread flooding. This regulatory action targets Oil Marketing Companies, fuel station operators, dealers, and transporters, with a clear warning that non-compliance will lead to severe sanctions and potential prosecution.
The directive, issued in response to heavy rainfall that has inundated various parts of the country, addresses critical concerns regarding fuel contamination, the heightened risk of fire outbreaks and explosions, and the potential for environmental pollution. The NPA’s public notice outlines specific operational halts and safety protocols designed to mitigate these immediate dangers.
According to the NPA’s instructions, operators of flooded fuel stations must immediately cease all fuel dispensing, loading, and offloading activities if floodwaters have reached forecourts, tank areas, or underground storage facilities. Furthermore, operators are directed to disconnect electrical power to pumps, dispensers, and associated equipment where it can be done safely. Evacuation of all staff, customers, and vehicles from affected areas is also mandated, alongside the establishment of a minimum 100-metre safety exclusion zone around compromised facilities.
Within this exclusion zone, the NPA has strictly prohibited activities such as smoking, the use of naked flames, welding, or any other operations that could generate sparks. The Authority has made it clear that affected stations will not be permitted to resume operations until floodwaters have completely receded, a joint inspection by the NPA and the Ghana National Fire Service has been successfully conducted, and the facility has been officially certified as safe for operation.
The NPA has also issued a stern warning against the sale or distribution of any fuel deemed to be contaminated. The public is strongly advised to avoid flooded fuel stations and to refrain from entering, driving through, or gathering around these areas, as floodwaters may contain hazardous petroleum products.
The Authority encourages the public to remain vigilant and to report any observed fuel leaks, unusual petroleum odours, or visible fuel sheens on floodwaters immediately to the Ghana National Fire Service or the nearest NPA office. Motorists and residents are urged to comply with instructions from emergency responders as the situation evolves. This proactive regulatory stance underscores the critical importance of operational integrity and public safety within Nigeria’s vital petroleum sector, with significant implications for legal and compliance teams across the industry.
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