REQUIREMENT FOR FILLING STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT

A. The National Petroleum Authority was enacted by an Act of Parliament Act 2005, (Act
691) and given Presidential Assent on 14 June, 2005. Section 30 of the National
Petroleum Authority Act, 2005, Act 691 stipulates that no person shall construct or
operate a petroleum product retail station, among others, without the prior written
authorization of the Authority. In this regard, any individual or OMC that undertakes to
construct and operate a petroleum product retail outlet is, as required by law, to apply for
a Construction Permit from the Authority.
B. The following are the requirements for the grant and issue of a permit to construct a
petroleum product retail outlet:

i. A letter of sponsorship from an existing oil marketing company, in the case
where the retail outlet is being constructed by an individual.
ii. Proof of Title to the land/Indenture
iii. A Fire Report signed by the Chief Fire Officer or a Regional Fire Officer
evidencing that arrangements proposed for the prevention and fighting of fire
coupled with good housekeeping practices at the site are satisfactory
iv. The Town and Country Planning Departments development/building permit.
v. An environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and
vi. 3 copies of the approved plan(s) showing building(s), existing or proposed, on
the site and the relation of the site to road/railways, electrical transmission and
power lines, water bodies and adjoining properties. The copies should be labeled
TO BE CONSTRUCTED.

C. Additionally, the National Petroleum Authority wishes to inform all Oil Marketing
Companies and individuals that the Town and Country Planning Department is the
statutory agency that determines the zoning status of an area. The agency determines
whether the proposed activity of the applicant is compatible with the zoning status of the
area. Specifically, it indicates the compatibility of the intended activity with the land use.

Once the zoning status is confirmed by the Town and Country Planning, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) then acts on further information provided by the
proponent and proceeds to conduct other investigations to confirm that the activity will
not adversely affect the environment, public health and safety. Prior to the issue of an
environmental permit, the following documentation, among others, are required by the
EPA:

i. A duly completed and signed environmental assessment form (EA 1) by the
proponent.
ii. A Fire report from the Ghana National Fire Service.
iii. Confirmation of the zoning status of site from the Metropolitan/Municipal/
District Authorities of the Town and Country Planning Department, indicating
the compatibility of the intended activity with the land use.
iv. No objection letters from the utility companies (GWCL, ECG, VRA etc.) as well
as the Ghana Highway Authority, wherever applicable.

Additionally, where necessary, the EPA consults the neighbours of a particular area to
seek their views about a proposed project before the grant and issue of EPA permits. This
is done through Public Hearings.

On receipt of all the information as stipulated in paragraph B above, the Authority
proceeds to conduct an on-the-spot physical inspection of sites being proposed for
petroleum product retail outlets. The purpose of the inspection is to ascertain whether the
facility, when constructed and operated, will not pose undue threat to public health and
safety. A Construction Permit may be granted and issued to a proponent depending on the
report of the Authoritys inspectors as well as the proponent having met and satisfied all
the documentation requirements as stated in paragraph B.

D. The National Petroleum Authority wishes to inform all Oil Marketing Companies and
individuals that a penalty fine amounting to five times the fee for a Construction Permit
will be imposed on any individual or OMC that fails to seek the written authorization of
the Authority prior to the construction of the said petroleum product retail outlet.


National Petroleum Authority
No. 11, 5
th
Circular Road
Cantonment
Accra.