The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has disclosed to Parliament that the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant project at Axim in the Ellembelle, Ajumuro and Gwira enclave of the Western Region is currently under review.
The project, which forms part of the National Cylinder Recirculation Model programme, is being executed as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract at an estimated cost of $24.7 million. It was awarded on October 19, 2021, with construction commencing on July 13, 2022, and originally scheduled for completion in July 2024.
However, the Minister revealed that upon assuming office, the project was significantly behind schedule. Approximately $8 million had already been spent, yet only about 20 per cent of procurement and site construction works had been completed.
Mr Jinapor told Parliament that he had engaged the project’s board to ascertain the causes of the delay. He noted that although a front-end engineering design had been carried out, critical market and feasibility studies—particularly on LPG supply sources essential to the plant’s operations—were not undertaken prior to the contract award.
As a result, the board has initiated a comprehensive review and audit of the project, alongside commissioning independent market and feasibility studies. These assessments are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of the year and subsequently submitted to the Minister.
He indicated that a final decision on the future of the project will be taken after the findings are reviewed, ensuring that any next steps are based on thorough and informed analysis.
