Cylinder Recirculation Model Policy: New bottling plant inaugurated to aid implementation
A NEW cylinder bottling plant has been inaugurated to aid the implementation of the government’s Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) Policy which was recently rolled out by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
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The new plant which has an LPG gas storage capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes and a capacity to bottle 1,200 cylinders per hour was built, owned and operated by Blue Oceans Investments.
The CRM among other things is aimed at ensuring that Ghanaians will not have to own a gas cylinder before they can use gas.
Under the policy, individuals will pick up already filled gas cylinders and pay for just the content after registering. Individuals who already have a gas cylinder would have to just deposit their cylinders in exchange for an already filled new cylinder and pay for just the content.
The implementation of the CRM is to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG by 2030.
It is also meant to improve access to LPG, improve safety in the distribution of LPG and to increase adoption of LPG. Additionally, it is a policy shift to stop the unnecessary loss of lives and properties as well as gas filling stations, mostly due to human error.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic on a sidelines of an engagement with its stakeholders, the General Manager of Blue Oceans Investments, Zwelithini Mlotshwa, said CRM represented a forward-thinking policy directive which was developed through collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the LPG sector.
He said the Blue Ocean LPG Bottling Plant was a game-changer in the industry, as it features a telescopic conveying channel that seamlessly transfers empty cylinders through various stages of the bottling process.
He noted that the plant also boasted of leak detection and shrink-wrapping capabilities and every step was meticulously designed to ensure efficiency and safety.
Engagement with stakeholders
Mr Mlotshwa said the plant was one of three plants being built, noting that Blue Ocean wanted to lead the transition to CRM.
“We do believe that the CRM presents a more efficient way of managing movement of cylinders and it’s a development that all stakeholders should welcome. We have seen the dangers of pumping LPG so we are here to have a discussion with all our stakeholders in the sector on how to make this policy work,” he stated.
Capacity to meet demand
The General Manager pointed out that the plant had the capacity to meet the demands of the public, adding that one of the advantages was that its bottling plant had already been integrated to an LPG storage facility.
“So we do not have different location for the bottling plant and the storage and this will make it very seamless in terms of supply. We have the capacity to meet current demands and even future demands. Even if the demand should go up, we have additional storage facilities to take care of it,” he added.
He said the plant would bottle a wide range of cylinders, ranging from 3kg, 6kg, 12 kg, 14 kg, 52 kg etc.
“We want to meet the needs of all markets, right from consumer straight to businesses, but the investments we will make in a particular cylinder would be determined by the market,” he stated.
Mr Mlotshwa also added that while the bottling plant was located in Tema, its distribution would be across the country through its partner LPG marketing companies.
