The government has served notice that Oil Marketing Companies found guilty in the illegal diversion of premix fuel will be banned.

“We wish to note that preliminary checks have revealed that the perpetrators are made up of some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs}, Landing Beach Committees and Transporters. The perpetrators, after loading the premix fuel from Tema Oil Refinery, do not deliver the products to the desired destinations,” a joint statement from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee said.

It also announced that: “All premix fuel outlets must be reviewed and those that do not meet the requirements closed down.”

Below is the full statement:

PRESS RELEASE

Accra, November 30, 2017: The Ministries of Energy & Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFC) wish to inform the general public that we have been following with keen interest various media reports on the issue of the diversion of premix fuel.

We wish to note that preliminary checks have revealed that the perpetrators are made up of some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Landing Beach Committees and Transporters. The perpetrators, after loading the premix fuel from Tema Oil Refinery, do not deliver the products to the desired destinations.

We wish to assure the general public that the Ministries of Energy and Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee are taking pragmatic steps to curtail such acts. Hence at a meeting held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, it was agreed that the following actions should be taken;

1. All premix fuel outlets must be reviewed and those that do not meet the requirements closed down:

2. Supply of premix fuel to the lake region will be restricted to the various ports (market centres);

3. There must be an improved collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee;

4. Going forward, increased and wider stakeholder consultation will be employed in a bid to reform the premix sector;

5. The NPFC will cease supply to the suspected OMCs: and
6. The NPA and NPFC will continue with investigations and those found culpable will be brought to book;

The Ministries of Energy & Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Premix Fuel Committee express their gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding.