OccupyGhana demands whereabouts of over GHC1bn fuel money

OccupyGhana has written to the Chief of Staff demanding investigation into how the state lost a total of GH?1.4 billion in the loss of over 800-thousand metric tonnes of subsidized fuel.

The loss, according to the pressure group, was captured in the 2017 industry report of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD).

“If true, this is completely unacceptable,” OccupyGhana in a statement remarked, “Also worrying is the allegation that about GH?5.2 million was lost to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) from diversions of 230 illegitimately subsidized premix trucks.”

The report by the CBOD also alleges over a dozen infractions and breaches of the law and indicted unnamed officials of National Security, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Office of the President.

The pressure group insisted that persons that would be found culpable should be prosecuted to the “full extent permissible by law, no matter who these culpable elements”.

Find the groups statement below

REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO REPORTED PETROLEUM PRODUCT SMUGGLING, RE-EXPORT AND PREMIX DUMPING, UNLAWFUL PROFITEERING, TAX EVASION AND FINANCIAL REPORTING INCONSISTENCY AT BOST.

OccupyGhana® has received and studied the 2017 industry report of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD). The report, which we believe has been submitted to the Offices of the President and Vice-President as well as Parliament alleges over a dozen infractions and breaches of the law by, and indicts unnamed officials of National Security, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Office of the President.

We note with concern the alleged revenue losses amounting to GH? 1.4 billion in the loss of over 800-thousand metric tonnes of subsidized fuel. If true, this is completely unacceptable. Also worrying is the allegation that about GHS 5.2 million was lost to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) from diversions of 230 illegitimately subsidized premix trucks.

The CBOD alleges losses due to increased smuggling activities along our coasts, under-invoicing, illegal tax and regulatory margins, ESLA under-reporting, Special Petroleum Tax (SPT) transfer pricing, deliberate inefficiencies and illegalities at BOST, unlawful profiteering, tax evasion and export dumping. But what we find even more troubling is the claim that these are happening with the connivance and complicity of officials in the Office of the President, in National Security, and in GRA.

In the interest of the principles of probity, accountability and transparency, we write to request that full scale criminal and highly forensic investigations are conducted into the alleged findings in the CBOD Report. If any persons are found to have engaged in these acts we would urge the prosecution of all criminally culpable elements within the petroleum value chain to the full extent permissible by law, no matter who these culpable elements may be.

Yours faithfully,

Kwaku Segbefia,

For: OccupyGhana®

Cc:

Office of the Vice-President

Jubilee House

Accra