LPG Marketing Companies Association Refutes Allegations of Opposition to CRM Implementation
The LPG Marketing Companies Association of Ghana has denied allegations made by Dr. Mustafa Hamid, CEO of the NPA, that it opposes the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) being implemented by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
In a statement issued on Sunday, July 21, 2024, the Association clarified that it has engaged in extensive discussions with the NPA, culminating in a mutual agreement that both the Refilling and CRM systems should operate in tandem.
The Association underscored its primary objective of promoting LPG usage to safeguard the environment and support indigenous enterprises.
“Our advertisements are solely aimed at promoting LPG usage to protect our environment and promote indigenous businesses, not to oppose CRM. There are clear differences between opposition and competition. Our requests to mount cages in all our LPG stations across the country to support the policy of distributing CRM cylinders were vehemently turned down by the NPA.
“We therefore find it very ironic and disingenuous that the CEO would turn around and accuse us of being backward-looking and not wanting change. We take very serious exception to that derogatory statement,” the statement read.
The Association highlighted that over $400 million in investment, predominantly financed by banks, has been funneled into the industry by indigenous companies over the past 25-30 years.
They argued that these investments cannot be sacrificed on the altar of change. The sector, they noted, employs approximately 10,000 Ghanaians, including 8,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs.
“We are yet to be told the exact number of jobs that the CRM could potentially create, simply claiming that CRM will generate “Aboboyaa” jobs is insufficient, lacks transparency and authenticity, and can only have propaganda and populist value,” the Association added.
The Association further called on Dr. Hamid to cease making inflammatory and derogatory remarks that could incite public opposition against them. They emphasized the necessity for the NPA to maintain its neutrality and fulfill its regulatory role impartially.
“We strongly urge the CEO of NPA to desist from making inflammatory and derogatory remarks that undermine and incite the public against our association. It is imperative for the NPA to maintain neutrality and fulfill its role strictly as a regulator,” the statement concluded.
Read Statement Below:
