Several Govt agencies coordinating efforts to review spate of gas cylinder explosions
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) met Friday, January 24, 2025, to coordinate efforts aimed at reviewing the recent series of suspected cooking gas cylinder-related explosions across the country.
In a media release, the EPA noted that at the meeting, discussions focused on sharing findings, and actions taken by the respective agencies, with the aim of identifying key strategic actions and engagement of the various stakeholders.
It was agreed at the meeting that, for immediate first steps, all agencies involved will continue their inspections and investigations of the various facilities and components, in keeping with their respective mandates.
Officials of the EPA, GEA, GFS, and GNBS met in the EPA boardroom at Sophia, Georgetown
In addition, the agencies agreed to share their respective reports, findings and recommendations.
It was also agreed that following the review of the respective inspections, investigations and recommendations, a report would be prepared with an appropriate action plan, inclusive of safety measures for suppliers of the products, vendors and consumers.
A follow-up meeting has been planned for Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the release advised.
Friday’s meeting came one day after Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told this publication at his press conference on Thursday that the regulatory bodies of the State need to immediately look into these incidents.
In response to a question from this publication, the VP said “I think this should be a standard thing for the EPA and the others… The regulatory bodies have to look at this. The GEA and also the EPA should launch an investigation immediately to look into this.”
