T. TEKPOR ENERGY LIMITED vs. NATIONAL PETROLEUM AUTH [2019]DLHC6803

Date	2019-02-18
Suit No.	SUIT NO: GJ/425/2019
Citation No.	[2019]DLHC6803

HIS LORDSHIP JUSTICE KWEKU T. ACKAAH-BOAFO

MR. BENJAMIN BARFO-BONNEY WITH SAMUEL NARH FOR THE PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT

MR. AKOTO AMPAW WITH AKWASI BOATENG BOAMAH FOR THE DEFENDANTS/RESPONDENTS

[2019]DLHC6803
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >T. TEKPOR ENERGY LIMITED<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>NATIONAL PETROLEUM AUTH<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT)<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[HIGH COURT (GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION, COURT 6),
ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

SUIT
NO: GJ/425/2019 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;DATE: 18TH
FEBRUARY, 2019<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL: <o:p></o:p>MR. BENJAMIN BARFO-BONNEY
WITH SAMUEL NARH FOR THE PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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MR.
AKOTO AMPAW WITH AKWASI BOATENG BOAMAH FOR THE DEFENDANTS/RESPONDENTS <o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM:
<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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HIS
LORDSHIP JUSTICE KWEKU T. ACKAAH-BOAFO<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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</div>i.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Introduction:<o:p></o:p>[1]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T-Tekpor
Energy Limited is a Company registered under the laws of Ghana and describes
itself as being in the business of selling petroleum products including
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with many outlets in the country. The suit which
has triggered the instant application is in regards to the Company’s outlet
located at Afariwaa Junction within the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly in the
Greater Accra Region within Communities 21 and 22, Tema. The Company
(Applicant) is in Court because the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has by a
letter dated November 7, 2018 suspended its operation at the said location on
the grounds that the Company’s operations pose a risk to two schools located
within the proximity of its activities and the residents of the area. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[2]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
recent gas explosions in the country seem to have been the catalyst for the
protests of citizens of the area which culminated in the letter referred to
above and therefore there are some who might see in this case as an
illustration of what in popular western culture is referred to as “NIMBYISM”
(Not In My Backyardism) where residents oppose the proximity of construction,
settlements or infrastructure etc. on the grounds of perceived potential harm
to the community. It could also be seen as citizen mobilization and action to
avert catastrophes that have happened elsewhere.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[3]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Order
25 r 1 of CI 47
stipulates that the court may grant an injunction by an interlocutory order in
all cases in which it appears to the court to be just or convenient to do so,
and the order may be made either unconditionally or upon such terms and
conditions as the court considers just. In deciding whether or not to grant an
order of interlocutory injunction it has been held that the court would
consider the justness and convenience of the order<a href="file:///F:/ackaa%20boafo%20RULLING/Aaa.kab.INJUNCTION.T-TEKPOR%20Energy%20v%20N'tnal%20PETROLEUM%20%20Authority.2019.Reviewed.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title="">[1]</a>.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[4]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Drawing
inspiration from the provision of the law cited herein, learned Counsel for the
Plaintiff/Applicant to whom I refer simply as the Applicant has filed in this
court on November 27, 2018, an application praying for:<o:p></o:p>“… an
order of this Honourable Court directing Respondent to lift suspension on
operation of Gas Filling station and supply of gas products upon grounds set
out in the </main>