Elizabeth Afoley Quaye
The Ministries of Energy and Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFC) have banned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) found guilty of illegally diverting premix fuel.
The OMCs, numbering about 14, who were involved in the illegal activity, would not receive supplies from NPFC.
“The NPFC will cease supply to the suspected OMCs and the NPS and NPFC will continue with investigations and those found culpable will be brought to book,” a joint statement said.
The directive by the government agencies follows preliminary findings which showed that some OMCs, landing beach committees and transporters were involved in the diversion of premix fuel in recent times.
“The perpetrators, after loading the premix fuel from Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), do not deliver the products to the desired destinations,” the statement noted.
The statement jointly signed by representatives of the agencies also directed supply of premix fuel to the lake region to be restricted only to the various ports (market centers).
It said premix fuel outlets that do not meet the requirements should be closed down.
It also called for improved collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, national petroleum authority and the national premix fuel committee in a bid to reform the premix sector.
“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,” it stated.