MONDAY JANUARY 03: Relocation of CNG stations by Ogra: Prime Minister, MoP take serious notice

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources have taken serious notice of the unilateral decision by the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), Tauqeer Sadiq, to allow provisional licensees change of site of CNG stations, and directed him to formulate a rational policy for re-sitement of CNG stations, in consultation with the Petroleum Ministry, Business Recorder has learnt.
Tauqir had allowed provisional licensees change of site of CNG stations, against prescribed criteria. This was leading to severe public discomfort as CNG stations, located in residential areas, were facing acute gas shortage.
Following the direction from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Petroleum has drafted the policy for CNG sector, but Ogra has yet to provide comments on the draft, causing a delay in the formulation of criteria for relocation of CNG station sites. In the CNG Policy 2010 draft, the Ministry of Petroleum has worked out policy guidelines for relocation of existing CNG station sites to seek final approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet.
According to the draft of the new CNG policy, CNG stations owners/licensees, subject to the following conditions, will be allowed to relocate their sites/locations: (i) the location/site of CNG station has been declared hazardous/unsafe to public safety; (ii) there has been mushroom growth of CNG stations on either side of a road in the existing area of operation; (iii) a particular area which is not properly served, or unavailability of any CNG station; (iv) to cover any unforeseen circumstances; (v) inter-provincial relocation/re-siting of CNG station is not allowed; and (vi) Ogra will formulate a rational policy/guidelines for change of site of the CNG station to accord request of the existing licensees where necessary, taking into consideration the conditions framed in new CNG policy and merit of the case.