Chairman of the National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFC) Nii Lante Bannerman has cautioned tanker drivers who transport the product to desist from acts that can affect the supply chain.

During a meeting with the Ghana Tanker Drivers Union (GTDU) in Tema, he said anyone caught in the act of diverting or stealing the fuel product would be made to face the full rigour of the law.

The meeting, the first of its kind in the management and administration of premix fuel in Ghana was to afford the National Chairman and the Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat (NPFS), Nana Abrokwah Asare, the opportunity to thank the drivers for their adherence to the rules and regulations regarding the transportation of premix fuel in 2018.

The meeting also offered both parties the opportunity to discuss various issues affecting the management and supply of the premix fuel such as best safety practices, premix fuel shortages at the various points of discharge, premix fuel diversion, tanker driver welfare and many more.

At the meeting, the NPFS announced the reintroduction of what has come to be known and accepted as ‘traceability forms’ to improve the distribution chain of premix fuel.

With the help of Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Mr. Bannerman said discussions were ongoing to calibrate all premix fuel tanks at all the landing beaches across the country for proper standardization and efficient monitoring.

At a separate meeting with liaison officers of the various Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) lifting premix fuel at Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), he cautioned all liaison officers on the need to discharge their duties without the interference or connivance with landing beach committee members in breaking the law. He rather asked them to uphold truth and integrity in their line of work.

The discussion centered on challenges facing the efficient loading of premix fuel at TOR.

He again cautioned that OMCs found culpable and complicit in acts that are deemed detrimental to the efforts of government would be taken off the premix fuel loading schedule to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Administrator of the Secretariat, Nana Abrokwah Asare, also encouraged the liaison officers not to hesitate in calling the NPFS on issues they would need clarity on.

The liaison officers were finally charged to take full responsibility as far as the transportation of the premix fuel to various landing beaches is concerned.

They were also cautioned to desist from extorting monies from the tanker drivers before approving allocations but rather help improve their welfare.Nii Lante Bannerman in action.