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Kwesi Pratt Jnr has cautioned management of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) not to add salt to injury as LPG Operators embark on strike.

A section of the Ghana LPG Operators Association (GLiPGOA) began a strike on Monday, May 21, to protest the implementation of the cylinder re-circulation module.

President Nana Akufo-Addo directed the implementation of the module last year following a number of fire outbreaks at LPG refill plant.

The module, to be enforced by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), requires that LPG filling points are sited out of densely populated areas and commercial centres.

The strike is already having adverse effects as scores of LPG users who went to some refill stations to purchase the product were left stranded.

In response to the action by the LPG Operators, the NPA has issued statement warning them to rescind their decision.

" . . much as we are not going to interfere with the strike action, we want to serve notice that members of GLIGPOA should resist the temptation to stop those who have seen the blackmail and therefore not supportive of the strike from carrying on their legitimate business. The security agencies will deal ruthlessly with such groups and individuals who try to stop others", portion of the statement read.

But addressing the issue on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, the seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt finds the NPA statement unfortunate and disgusting as he believes it could potentially fan the strike instead of ending it.

According to him, it is inappropriate for the NPA to begin to issue threats to the protestors.

Mr. Pratt called on the NPA to rather have fruitful discussions and negotiations with them to instigate peace and ensure all parties' concerns are resolved.

He noted that though the government's initiative to site the filling stations at specified places is commendable because it will help curtail the fire outbreaks, the LPG Operators shouldn't be ignored but have their concerns addressed.

Kwesi Pratt however asked the NPA not to intimidate the LPG Operators, stating emphatically that "nobody can intimidate anybody in Ghana. That Military era where soldiers were terrorizing us is long gone”.