Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - Members of the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) on Wednesday called for a national debate on the problem of the availability of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) devoid of partisanship to complement government's efforts to resolve the current challenges associated with LPG distribution.

It said already various views had been expressed and proposals offered included the potential removal of subsidies on LPG, and banning commercial vehicles from using LPG. The call was made in a statement issued in Accra by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu on behalf of RAP.

It noted with concern the current challenges facing the nation with regards to the availability of LPG posed by distribution as opposed to supply shortfall and reflecting lack of investment in the expansion of storage facilities over the last decade. The statement noted that 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.

"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 an informed debate over the matter and refrain from unnecessary politicization, which will serve no useful purpose other than scoring cheap points, 93the statement added. It said 93We urge the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to offer useful alternatives to address the problem rather than the usual empty rhetoric that has characterised their interventions on every national issue including the LPG problem." The statement noted efforts being made by government and other private sector players to put in place the necessary infrastructure to curb future occurrences.

"Of particular interest to us is the special Cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday, August 20, to discuss the problem with a view to fashioning out a permanent and comprehensive solution," the statement added. It said to deepen public awareness about the current LPG situation and to engender healthy debate over the subject, RAP would organize a forum on the theme, 91Improving LPG Supply: The Way Forward' at the Teachers Hall Accra on Thursday, August 19, in the afternoon. 17 Aug. 11