Government has cited a syndicate made of oil marketing companies, landing beach committee members as well transporters it claims are behind the diversion of premix fuel.
A joint statement issued by the Ministries of Energy, Fisheries and Aquaculture as well the National Petroleum Authority, Thursday, stated the syndicate after loading the premix fuel from the Tema Oil Refinery fail to deliver the products to the desired destination.
Over 200 cases of premix diversions have been recorded this year alone, costing the nation over 22 million cedis. The phenomenon which was rife in 2005 appear to rear its ugly head with the change in government.
It was prevalent under the John Mahama led National Democratic Congress government and does not see any sign of abatement under president Nana Akufo-Addo either.
The Minority in Parliament is demanding the arrest of the members of the landing beach committee who are said to have signed for the products but have nothing to show for it.
The Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee Adams Mutawakilu says the arrest of the committee members will be the first point in getting to the bottom of the diversion.
He was however convinced government is covering up the rot and is refusing to prosecute the syndicate involved in the diversion.
But the government has confirmed the diversions, stating its preliminary checks have revealed the perpetrators do not deliver to the appropriate destinations after loading.
It however failed to name the OMCs and the other syndicate involved.
In the statement the government outlined a number of steps including the closing down of premix outlets it believes do not meet requirement.
“The supply of premix fuel to the lake region will be restricted to the various ports,” the statement said.
PRESS RELEASE
JOINT STATEMENT BY MINISTRIES OF ENERGY & FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT, NATIONAL PETROLEUM AUTHORITY AND THE NATIONAL PREMIX FUEL COMMITTEE ON THE DIVERSION OF PREMIX FUEL BY SOME OIL MARKETING COMPANIES, LANDING BEACH COMMITTEES AND TRANSPORTERS IN GHANA
The Ministries of Energy & Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFC) wish to inform the general public that we have been following with keen interest various media reports on the issue of the diversion of premix fuel.
We wish to note that preliminary checks have revealed that the perpetrators are made up of some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Landing Beach Committees and Transporters. The perpetrators, after loading the premix fuel from Tema Oil Refinery, do not deliver the products to the desired destinations.
We wish to assure the general public that the Ministries of Energy & Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee are taking pragmatic steps to curtail such acts. Hence at a meeting held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, it was agreed that the following actions should be taken:
1. All premix fuel outlets must be reviewed and those that do not meet the requirements closed down.
2. Supply of premix fuel to the lake region will be restricted to the various ports (market centres)
3. There must be an improved collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee;
4. Going forward, increased and wider stakeholder consultation will be employed in a bid to reform the premix sector;
5. The NPFC will cease supply to the suspected OMCs; and
6. The NPA and NPFC will continue with investigations and those found culpable will be brought to book;
The Ministries of Energy & Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Premix Fuel Committee express their gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding.