Oil marketing companies pledge support for new NPA boss

The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) have assured the newly appointed Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Mr Alhassan S. Tampuli of their support towards his administration for a successful tenure.

According to them, there is the need for more consultative meetings with the various committees working under the NPA and those of the AOMCs.

However, the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) pointed out a number of challenges that confront their operation such as the branding of dealers of the OMCs/LPGMs by some state agenvies as criminals instead of partners, delay in the processing of Permits and License applications among others.

The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) also called for urgent and concerted action to be taken to halt immediately the illegal sale of export products on the local market which denies government huge tax revenue and also adversely affects the businesses of the Association's members who do genuine business and pay huge taxes to the state.

The Association also asked for a review of the deregulation policy to allow marketers to be able to vary their ex-pump prices within each OMC and also manage their freight.

‘'There should be collaboration between the Association and the NPA to educate the Public on siting of fuel stations/outlets as well as the general education on safety’', the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) also appealed.

The Association further indicated the need for the implementation of the new products specifications to ensure enhanced fuel quality for its consumers. It thus requested that the NPA makes available a standard fuel quality test tool to be used by its dealers to ascertain product quality before they take delivery of it.

The above issues came to light when NPA officials paid a visit to members of Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) to officially introduce the new CEO, Mr Alhassan S. Tampuli and also confer with the AOMCs and its leadership on the challenges in the industry that relate to the operations of the OMCs/LPGMCs.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Petroleum Authority, Mr Alhassan S. Tampuli assured the AOMCs that the NPA will give all the necessary support to members with regards to safety.

He added that proper decision making has a strong correlation with the availability of meaningful information and called on members to support the regulator by providing timely and useful information.

Mr. Alhassan S. Tampuli reiterated the need to name and shame companies involved in bad practices and indicated that the Authority was ready to do so in order to sanitize the industry.

Other issues discussed included automating the operations of the Regulator with respect to permits and licenses, the need for continuous public education and increasing the standards in the industry.

Mr Alhassan S. Tampuli applauded the AOMCs for the continuous industry education on safety and other issues it has been handling.

Mr. Alhassan S. Tampuli emphasized that all the concerns tabled by the AOMCs would be given the needed attention.

He thanked the leadership of AOMCs for making time to honour the meeting and indicated that the doors of the Regulator are always open for members.

In attendance were the new NPA CEO Hassan S. Tampuli, Jacob Amuah, the Technical Director and other directors. The AOMCs were represented by the Chairman of the Board of Governors and Managing Director of Strategic Energies Limited Mr Johnny Blagogee, Michael Bozumbil, CEO of PETROSOL and Vice Chairman and Kwaku Agyemang Duah, the Industry Co-ordinator/CEO of the AOMCs.

The Industry Coordinator/CEO, Mr. Agyeman-Duah, on behalf of the Board and the general membership, conveyed a message of appreciation to the NPA team for the visit.