Gov’t Bans Lifting of Contaminated Fuel At BOST

Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko has disclosed that individuals are no longer allowed to lift contaminated fuel from Ghana’s Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).

This, according to the Minister is part of an interim measure to prevent the supply of contaminated fuel onto the Market following following the BOST scandal where some 5 million liters of substandard fuel was reportedly brought onto the market by Movenpinna Energy and Zup Oil.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament yesterday, Mr Agyarko said the most important concern for the Ministry is to ensure that no contaminated fuel enters the market even though same might have left the premises of the Bulk Oil Storage Transport (BOST) Company.

“One of the interim measures is that no longer will individuals be allowed to lift contaminated products out of BOST,” he said.

Contaminated Fuel Sale

Mr. Agyarko debunked claims by sections of the public that contaminated fuel was being sold at pump stations on the Ghanaian market were untrue.

According him no contaminated fuel has found its way to the pump stations as were speculated.

He disclosed that, government will soon issue a White Paper on outcome of a Committee constituted to investigate the contaminated fuel allegations at BOST.

Recommendations of the Committee, Mr. Agyarko said will be implemented to the later to ensure the safety of fuel on the Ghanaian market.

He said Copies of the committee’s report on the investigations will be made available to Parliament through the Select Committee on Mines and Energy.

Mr. Agyarko said the NPA is also drafting regulations to cover crude oil and petroleum supply and quality control to further protect the consumer.

Providers who failed to comply will upon summary conviction be fined up to 15, 000 penalty units (that is Ghc180,000) or imprisoned for up to five years or both.

Their licenses, he said may also be withdrawn.

Source: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher