NPA hints of amending Act to clampdown on petroleum smugglers

Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, NPA, Hassan Tampuli has given indication his outfit will seek for the amendment of the ACT establishing the Authority, in order to enable them apply tougher sanctions on persons or individuals caught to be dealing in petroleum theft.

The NPA in February this year confiscated petroleum products smuggled into the country estimated to be about GHC1 million. The regulator said a total number of 28BRV, 6 canoes, 4 mobile pumps and 5 outboard motors carrying 709,250 liters of illegally smuggled petroleum products with taxes and levies value of GHC1, 150,186 have been confiscated.

The arrest, made in collaboration with the security agencies, is part of ongoing plans by the NPA to deal with fraudsters in the industry. Speaking at the OIL and FUEL Supply Chain Security Conference on how to prevent fuel fraud in London, Mr. Tampuli said after more than ten years of its establishment, it is only appropriate the law is reviewed to enable the NPA to apply heavy sanctions on those caught to be engaging in fuel smuggling activities.

But while the NPA awaits that to happen, Mr. Tampuli said his outfit will continue to deploy technology to help block smuggling channels, while other channels are explored to combat fuel theft.

“We intend going forward to use more technology like the use of flow meters at the depots and fuel receiving facilities,” he said, adding; “we insist that if they don’t get the flow meters at those facilities, we will procure for them and ensure that they are working.”

The conference which brought together petroleum experts and security agencies from AFRICA, EUROPE, NORTH, AND SOUTH AMERICA, to find ways of collaborating to deal with smuggling, as well as cross border petroleum theft.

Mr. Tampuli, who was speaking at the event, said Ghana has enjoyed effective collaboration with neighboring countries such as Nigeria but said a lot more needed to be done to ensure the operations of the fuel cabal are dealt with. “Ghana has taken a position to deal ruthlessly with the problem as it impacts on tax revenue. We are confident that the measures rolled out, and others to be rolled out shortly, will help minimize if not eradicate the menace.”

Mr. Tampuli said the ongoing partnership with the security agencies means patrols at both the Eastern and Western coastlines to and facilitate arrests of smugglers, will continue to go on.

“GRA Customs monitors movement at the borders and facilitates asset confiscation and disposal of products.”

He also said there is enough political will from government to combat the activities of petroleum smuggling gangs, and warned everything will be done to ensure the businesses of those working within the rules, are protected.