The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tamakloe, has issued a strong warning against the illegal smuggling of fuel into the downstream petroleum sector through unapproved channels, cautioning that the practice poses a serious threat to product quality control and government revenue generation.
Mr. Tamakloe made the remarks while supervising the destruction of eight seized bunkering boats at the Western Naval Command.
The boats, locally known as Dendes, which were intercepted by the Western Naval Command, each have the capacity to hold the equivalent of two 54,000-litre tanker trucks.
Addressing the media, the NPA Chief Executive stressed that the authority remains committed to ensuring that only quality petroleum products reach the market for public consumption. He noted that measures are continually being implemented to prevent adulterated petroleum products from entering the supply chain.
According to him, the illegal transportation of petroleum products through unapproved sea routes makes it extremely difficult for the authority to verify and regulate product quality, thereby exposing consumers to potential health and safety risks.
“At the core of what we do is to ensure that adulterated products do not get onto the market. When people illegally transport petroleum products through the sea into the market, it becomes difficult for the authority to regulate and monitor quality standards.
The authority has a fuel marking scheme that allows us to track every litre of petroleum product that enters the market. So, when products are transported through unapproved means beyond the authority’s monitoring systems, there is the possibility that unregulated products could find their way onto the market.”
He further emphasized, “We have gotten to a point where enough is enough. We have engaged them and repeatedly warned them to stop these illegal activities. Even last year, when I visited the labour base, we cautioned them against continuing this practice.
However, they have remained adamant, and that is why we have taken this extraordinary action to send a clear message that we will not relent. The authority is collaborating with the security agencies, including National Security, the Navy, and the Police Service, and together we will continue this enforcement exercise.”
Mr. Tamakloe further highlighted the economic impact of the illegal trade, explaining that the exercise would help curb the loss of government revenue caused by fuel smuggling activities.
He said, “ on every litre of petroleum product, taxes are paid to the state for national development.
The economic benefit of stopping this practice is significant. We have about eight of these boats, and each can carry the equivalent of two tanker trucks. Assuming a volume of 540,000 litres, and with at least one cedi tax on every litre, that translates into more than GH¢540,000 gone.”
The NPA Chief Executive concluded by calling on all persons involved in fuel smuggling to immediately desist from the practice, describing the destruction of the seized boats as a clear demonstration of the authority’s resolve to clamp down on illegal fuel trade activities.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
