Accra, Aug. 17, GNA – The pro-government Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) on Wednesday expressed concern about the acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country and called for a national debate on the problem devoid of partisan undertones.

This, it said in a statement released in Accra, would complement the efforts of the government to resolve the current challenges associated with LPG distribution.

It noted that various views had been expressed and proposals offered including the potential removal of subsidies on LPG, banning commercial vehicles from using LPG.

RAP said its understanding was that the current difficulty was a distribution one as opposed to a supply shortfall and reflected a lack of investment in the expansion of storage facilities over the last decade or so.

The problem had also been compounded by a sharp rise in demand for the product by commercial vehicle operators owing to its relatively cheaper price, it said.

“While the current long queues being witnessed at the various LPG distribution points are worrying, it is imperative that we as a people engage in informed debate over the matter and refrain from unnecessary politicisation which will serve no useful purpose other than scoring cheap points.”

RAP said it has also noted efforts being made by the government and other private sector players to put in place the necessary infrastructure to curb future occurrences, including a special cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss the problem with a view to fashioning out a permanent and comprehensive solution.