Sekondi: Mr Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has issued a warning against illegal fuel bunkering activities, emphasizing the threat these activities pose to the regulation of product quality in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, illegal fuel bunkering has resulted in the introduction of adulterated fuel and other petroleum products into the market, posing safety risks to consumers. Mr Tameklo highlighted these concerns during his visit to the Western Naval Command at Sekondi, where he supervised the destruction of eight unregistered boats seized for their involvement in fuel bunkering operations at New Takoradi and Poasi landing beaches.
Mr Tameklo explained the challenges faced by the Authority in regulating the quality of petroleum products when they are moved to the market illegally. He emphasized the potential health and safety risks that consumers are exposed to under such circumstances. The NPA runs a scheme that marks petroleum products entering the country to ensure they meet quality standards before discharge, aiming to prevent adulteration.
The CEO pointed out that any deviation from the established concentration levels in petroleum products indicates adulteration, which can negatively impact consumers. He reiterated the NPA's commitment to ensuring that only quality petroleum products reach the market, with efforts focused on preventing contaminated products from entering the supply chain.
In addition to the safety risks, Mr Tameklo noted that illegal fuel bunkering activities lead to significant tax revenue losses for the state. He explained that taxes are levied on every litre of fuel, and activities like these result in considerable economic losses.
The destruction of the seized boats serves as a clear message to those involved in illegal activities that the NPA is determined to stop such practices. Mr Tameklo urged individuals engaged in fuel bunkering to cease operations and seek proper licensing from the Authority if they wish to conduct petroleum-related activities legally.