February 03, 2011 [GBC News] - The Minister of Energy, Dr. Joe Oteng Adjei, has inaugurated a 50,000 M3 capacity fuel storage tank at the Kumasi Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Limited.
This brings the total capacity at the depot to 86,000 M3 which translates into two weeks of national consumption of petroleum products. This compares with the nationwide storage capacity of 340,000 M3, with another 70,000 M3 under construction.
The policy of government is to secure a three-month strategic stock for petroleum products.
Dr. Oteng Adjei said the expansion project at the BOST Kumasi Depot shows government’s commitment to ensuring that petroleum products are made available at all times.
He therefore urged management of the company to improve the health, safety, environment and maintenance management systems at all its depots nationwide.
Dr. Oteng Adjei asked workers of BOST to ensure that the company has adequate stock particularly now that crude oil prices have become very volatile.
The Board Chairman of BOST, Alhaji Hudu Yahya, said the company places audit of their management systems high on its agenda.
He said these audits are carried out periodically with the view to remedying all shortfalls within the framework that identifies risks within the operating environment.
The Managing Director of BOST, Yaw Akoto, said the vision of the company is to reduce exposure on accident prone roads by using alternative forms to move bulk fuel within the depots.