The suspension is to enable the outlets, popularly known as "Gao-Gao" filling stations, to rectify various shortcomings in their operations so as to meet the NPA’s requirements.

The stations are called ‘Gao-Gao’ because they are mainly operated by people from Gao from Mali and Niger.

Their illegal operations have prompted the nationwide exercise by the NPA to streamline the operations of the retail outlets.

NPA’s technical director, Isaac Tagoe, announced the suspension here on Saturday at a workshop to educate the participants on what to do to qualify for the issuance of a permit to construct a retail outlet.

He said out of the 323 retail outlets in the Ashanti Region, only 55 are operating under the authority’s minimum standard requirements.

He said 83 outlets which met the requirements half-way and have been issued licence to operate, have been given a three-month ultimatum to rectify their short- comings, or have their licences withdrawn.

Mr Tagoe said the 138 suspended outlets would have been closed down completely but for the fact that they were located in remote areas where their services would be needed and their closure would bring untold hardship to people in those areas.
He said in view of that, the NPA would give them a two-year provisional licence within which time they would be expected to take the necessary steps to meet the authority’s requirements.

Mr George Asiamah, chief director, told the retailers that the requirements include a fire-report showing satisfactory fire fighting arrangements and good house-keeping practices at the site.

He said other requirements are an Environmental Protection Agency permit and a building permit from the Town and Country Planning Department.

Mr Asiamah cautioned that a penalty amounting to five times the fee for a construction permit would be imposed on any individual or oil marketing company that does not seek the written authorisation of the Authority before operating.

Benjamin Agyare, NPA’s principal progra-mme officer, also took the participants thr-ough infrastructural and technical requirements such as "no smoking," and "switch off mobile telephone" signs.