Bolgatanga, March 27, GNA- As part of measures to check the smuggling of petroleum products, to neighbouring countries in the Upper East Region, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has directed that no fuel filling station should be allowed to operate after 1900 hours. REGSEC also directed that any Fuel station that would be caught condoning and conniving with smugglers would be closed down. Mr Mark Wayongo, Regional Minister and Chairman of the REGSEC gave the warning when REGSEC held a stakeholder meeting with Fuel Station dealers in Bolgatanga to help curb the shortage of petrol in the Region as a result of smuggling activities.

"Government will not sit down unconcerned to allow the masses to suffer," he said.

Mr. Woyongo said members of the public who volunteer information about smugglers would be rewarded.

He said security men would be attached to the filling stations to monitor the marketing of petroleum products.

The REGSEC indicated that nobody would be allowed to sell petrol in jerry cans or in bottles since it poses danger to life and property. However farmers who would want to buy fuel in large quantities could do so through the district assemblies. Meanwhile, most of the Fuel Stations visited by the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, on Thursday morning, were selling petrol to motorists who were in long queues.