GSB Launches 10-Litre Standard-Measure

Accra, May 18, GNA - The Ghana Standard Board (GSB) and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Thursday launched a 10-litre standard measuring can in the hope that it would help to resolve any lingering misunderstanding between dealers and the general public that might arise out of quantities delivered from pumps at the various fuel stations.

The GSB and the NPA said motorists, who are in doubt of the quantity of fuel dispensed at any filling station, can demand a crosscheck of the accuracy of the dispensing mahines with the 10-Litre can.

The measure is part of recommendations made by the National Oil Loss Control Committee to ensure that the problems that contribute to oil losses across the entire chain of supply, transportation, distribution, marketing and sales were resolved.

Launching the can, Deputy Minister of Energy K. T. Hammond said the measure would help to stem the incessant cross accusations and complaints from the Petroleum Retailers Association and other customers of the Oil Marketing Companies about short delivery of petroleum products by tanker drivers and also from the motorists about the short measuring at the filling station.

He said although the GSB verified and certified dispensing machines at the retail outlets, some unscrupulous dealers connived with pump mechanics to tamper with the GSB official seals on these pumps and adjust them to be able to short-change unsuspecting motorists and make illegal financial gains.

Mr Hammond asked the dealers to make a special commitment to maintain a vibrant industry devoid of all the undesired and underhand malpractices, such as adulteration and cheating.

Ms Gifty Ohene-Konadu, Deputy Minister of Trade, said as a first step, fuel stations within the Greater Accra Region would commence the implementation of the 10-litre can recommendation before it was extended to other regions.

The fuel stations have as a compliance date July 2006. "The time table for compliance will soon be made available to all Oil Marketing Companies and at the Offices of all relevant stakeholders," she said. 18 May 06