Contaminated fuel saga: Minority accuses BNI, government of cover up

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the National Investigations (BNI) and National Security of a cover up after the security agencies cleared the Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST), Alfred Obeng of any wrongdoing in the controversial sale of five million litres of off-spec fuel.

Addressing the press in Parliament today , the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, indicated that, they will stop at nothing to expose the alleged rot at BOST.

“There is a very bizarre and uncharacteristic developments in our country today that we are being told that the BNI is acting in a manner that we don’t only smell, but we can sense a cover up in respect of the matter of the selling of contaminated oil by BOST which matter bothers on fraud, corruption and abuse of office. We are aware that the Ministry of Energy has set up a committee to investigate the matter.”

The Minority had called for the dismissal of the MD following the saga. The opposition lawmakers said they have information that the two companies Movenpiina and ZupeOil have links to the BOST MD, an allegation both companies have been quick to deny.

But the security agencies in a report cleared BOST MD of any wrongdoing.

In his address to the press, the Minority leader said, if the security agencies cleared the MD, “that can only be a gargantuan cover up on a matter which is fraudulent and we believe that this action of the BNI can only be sowing the seed of corruption in our country and also allowing and preventing sunshine on matters that are of public interest.”

“The mere selling of contaminated oil matter to motorists, the mere admission of the regulator, the NPA to the extent that they were unaware and they had not licensed a particular entity also raises major issues as to which entity, registered or not registered that the state should be dealing with.

The BNI would have to come public to share with us what they have investigated and what their findings are and not just a mere statement to the effect that the Minister should dissolve his committee,” he added. “We are already aware of an internal turf between the ministry and other players within government.

This recent development, we find unacceptable and therefore if the president means well in fighting corruption, he should not be seen supporting any cover up and must allow the ministerial committee to proceed henceforth with full investigation of the matter and report publicly or they may as well say that they are not interested in any other matter of public interest,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.