The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has directed all fuel stations affected by recent flooding to immediately suspend operations, warning that failure to comply with the emergency safety measures could attract regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
The directive follows widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall in parts of the country, which has inundated several communities and critical infrastructure.
In a public notice issued, the Authority instructed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), fuel station operators, dealers and transporters to prioritise public safety until floodwaters recede and affected facilities are declared safe for operation.
According to the NPA, fuel stations where floodwaters have submerged dispensing areas, underground storage facilities or vent systems must immediately halt all fuel dispensing, loading and offloading activities.
“Operations shall not resume until floodwaters have completely receded” and the affected facilities have undergone joint inspections by the NPA and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Authority stated.
Strict Conditions for Reopening
The regulator explained that operators must disconnect electrical power to fuel dispensers, pumps, lighting systems and other forecourt equipment wherever it is safe to do so.
Fuel stations are also required to evacuate staff, customers and vehicles while establishing a safety exclusion zone of at least 100 metres around affected premises.
The Authority further prohibited smoking, welding, naked flames and any activity capable of producing sparks within the designated safety zone, citing the heightened risk of fire and explosions in flooded petroleum facilities.
Before any station is allowed to resume operations, underground storage tanks, pipelines, dispensers and associated equipment must be thoroughly inspected and certified fit for service by qualified personnel.
Any contaminated fuel or hazardous waste must also be safely removed and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.
The NPA warned that selling contaminated petroleum products would constitute a breach of petroleum regulations and attract severe penalties.
Public Urged to Stay Away from Flooded Fuel Stations
The Authority also appealed to members of the public to avoid entering or driving through flooded fuel stations, cautioning that floodwaters around such facilities could contain petroleum products or other hazardous contaminants.
It urged the public to promptly report fuel leaks, unusual petroleum odours, visible fuel sheens on floodwaters or any unsafe conditions to the Ghana National Fire Service or the nearest NPA office.
In addition, operators have been instructed to prevent contaminated water and petroleum products from flowing into drains, rivers and other water bodies, while any suspected environmental pollution must be reported immediately to both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NPA.
The NPA announced that compliance inspections will be conducted at affected fuel stations nationwide to ensure operators fully adhere to the emergency directives.
It warned that any station found operating without the required safety clearance would face enforcement action, including suspension of operations, regulatory sanctions and prosecution where necessary.
Emphasising the need for collective vigilance, the Authority reminded operators and the public that protecting lives remains the foremost priority during the flooding emergency.
“When a fuel station is flooded: Stop operations, evacuate the area, report the incident, and do not resume operations until official clearance has been granted,” the NPA stressed.
READ ALSO: GRIDCo, ECG Shut Down Mallam and Achimota Substations After Flooding Disrupts Power Infrastructure
