Owners of fuel stations operating without permits in the Brong Ahafo Region will soon be arrested and prosecuted, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has assured.

The warning came from the acting Fire Service commander for Atebubu-Amantin, ADO1 Francis Tetteh, in an interview with Accra News Saturday February 25.

He reminded fuel station operators of their obligations under the Ghana National Fire Service Act of 1997, Act 537, requiring them to apply for and obtain a fire certificate and permit prior to opening such stations.

According to him, there had been a rise in fire accidents in recent times from such stations in the district, mainly from fuel stations that have no permits to operate.

ADO1 Tetteh explained that setting up a filling station involves applying to the GNFS, following which the Service moves to the site to assess its suitability for that purpose after which, if satisfied, it gives the go-ahead, adding that with fire certificates taking longer to arrive nowadays, applicants whose requests are approved are first given a permit to commence construction and operation before the certificate is processed.

“So, if you have no permit, it means your operations are illegal. Once we find out you are operating without permit we will take legal action. We will close down the station and hand you over to National Security,” he warned.