Opinions of Monday, 9 October 2017

Columnist: Prof Joshua Alabi

A revisit of the citing of filling and gas stations in Ghana

The Atomic Junction gas explosion led to lost of lives and properties The Atomic Junction gas explosion led to lost of lives and properties

Many a time, life presents us with the right opportunity to take necessary action when all human efforts had failed. The situation of the Atomic junction gas explosion, I believe is one of such opportunities to bring to the attention of all relevant authorities concerned, once more: the citing of a filling station very close to the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), after several calls by the university had failed.

First, the students of the university demonstrated against the citing of the filling station, to no avail.

Secondly, after several interventions by the management of the university had failed, the management directed the university's solicitors to act on their behalf and bring their concerns about the citing of the filling station to the relevant authorities: (National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as owners of the Sel Filling Station), also to no avail.

I am aware that following from where I left off, Management of the university met with the relevant authorities, also to no avail.

Though I am not the current head of UPSA, I feel led and highly concerned about the safety of the entire community of about 13,000 people.

Learning from the Atomic junction explosion, I hope that this time, due attention would be given to the concerns of the university.

Take action now, save a life tomorrow.