- Shutdown of flooded fuel stations until safety inspections are completed – NPA
The National Petroleum Authority has barred fuel stations affected by flooding from dispensing petroleum products until floodwaters recede and full safety inspections are completed, as regulators move to prevent fires, explosions and contaminated fuel sales after widespread flooding in Accra.
The directive follows heavy rains that submerged parts of the capital and raised concerns about petroleum leaks, compromised underground tanks, damaged pipelines and the risk of fuel contamination at service stations located in flood-prone areas.
In a safety notice to operators and the public, the NPA said no flooded fuel station would be allowed to resume operations until clearance is granted after inspections by relevant regulatory and emergency agencies.
The authority said affected operators must immediately isolate flooded areas, suspend dispensing, and prevent customers and unauthorised persons from entering danger zones.
The NPA also ordered operators to eliminate all ignition sources around flooded stations, including smoking, naked flames, welding, spark-producing equipment and any activity capable of igniting flammable vapours.
“Eliminate Ignition Sources: Prohibit smoking, naked flames, welding, the use of spark-producing equipment, and any other activity capable of igniting flammable vapours within the exclusion zone,” the notice stated.
The authority further directed operators to report incidents immediately to the nearest NPA Regional Office, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and their respective oil marketing companies.
“Notify the Appropriate Authorities: Report the incident immediately to the nearest NPA Regional Office, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the respective Oil Marketing Company,” the NPA said.
The regulator said full safety inspections must be carried out before any station resumes operations. These checks will include underground storage tanks, pipelines, pumps, electrical systems and fuel quality to ensure that floodwater has not entered petroleum storage systems or compromised dispensing equipment.
The authority also warned that contaminated fuel must not be sold to the public, describing such conduct as a regulatory breach that would attract severe sanctions.
The warning is significant because floodwater can enter underground tanks and mix with petroleum products, especially where tank seals, manholes, vents or pipelines are compromised. Contaminated fuel can damage vehicle engines, disrupt transport operations and expose consumers to avoidable financial losses.
Beyond contamination, the greater risk is public safety. Flooded fuel stations can become dangerous if petroleum products leak into surrounding floodwater or if flammable vapours accumulate near ignition sources.
The NPA’s directive therefore places responsibility on station operators to treat flood exposure as an emergency safety matter rather than a temporary business interruption.
Members of the public have also been advised to stay away from flooded fuel stations and avoid contact with floodwater around such facilities, as it may contain petroleum products or other hazardous substances.
“Avoid entering, driving through, or gathering around flooded fuel stations,” the notice stated.
The NPA also urged the public to report fuel leaks, unusual petroleum odours, visible fuel contamination or suspicious activity around affected stations to emergency services and regulators.
The authority said nationwide compliance inspections will be conducted and warned that any station found operating without clearance will face suspension, sanctions or prosecution.
The intervention comes as Accra continues to count the cost of severe flooding that disrupted transport, business activity and public services after hours of heavy rain.
The floods also exposed wider infrastructure and safety concerns in the capital, particularly where commercial facilities, fuel stations, shops and residential properties are located in low-lying areas or close to drainage channels.
For the downstream petroleum sector, the NPA directive is a reminder that climate and urban flooding risks are now operational risks for fuel retailers.
As rainfall becomes more intense and urban drainage systems come under growing pressure, fuel stations in vulnerable locations may face greater scrutiny over emergency preparedness, storage integrity, drainage design and environmental safety systems.
The NPA’s immediate priority is to prevent a flood disaster from becoming a petroleum safety disaster.
But the longer-term issue is whether regulators, assemblies and oil marketing companies will reassess the siting and resilience of fuel stations in flood-prone communities.
For motorists, the message is clear: avoid flooded stations, be cautious about fuel purchased after major floods, and report any suspicious fuel quality or petroleum leakage.
For operators, the warning is even clearer. No station affected by flooding should reopen until it has been inspected, cleared and confirmed safe for customers, workers and the surrounding community.
