Nationwide Petroleum Authority Chief Government Officer Edudzi Kuzo Tameklo has warned that the authorities will step up enforcement towards people engaged in unlawful bunkering actions to guard shoppers and forestall lack of income to the state.
His feedback adopted the destruction of eight jumbo canoes seized by the Western Naval Command throughout counter-refueling operations at Poise and New Takoradi seashores within the Western Area.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Do not Complain,” was carried out on March 31, 2026, after intelligence experiences revealed that unregistered boats had been getting used to move unlawful petroleum merchandise alongside the coast.
In accordance with the Western Naval Command, the train is being carried out in accordance with Articles 53 and 54 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act No. 1146, which requires people or organizations constructing fishing vessels to acquire permission from the Fisheries Fee.
The command mentioned the seized boats had been illegally constructed and operated with out the required permits.
Talking in the course of the sabotage train, Tameklo mentioned the unlawful actions had been undermining the gasoline high quality assurance system carried out by the NPA and likewise denying the state vital tax income.
“Each time a vessel arrives, we examine the merchandise to make sure they meet the required high quality requirements earlier than unloading. Even after unloading, the merchandise are marked to forestall contamination,” he defined.
He mentioned decreased gasoline focus ranges typically point out adulteration as a result of addition of gear supposed to extend the quantity of gasoline on the market.
“It may have a adverse influence on shoppers and trigger harm to autos,” he added.
Mr. Tamekuro revealed that unlawful merchants typically use domestically manufactured canoes often known as “dendays” to switch petroleum merchandise from massive ships offshore, that are then transported on to retailers with out correct monitoring.
He pressured that these merchandise bypass the NPA’s monitoring and marking system, making it troublesome to confirm their high quality and origin.
The NPA chief famous that one canoe can carry the equal of two gasoline tankers and warned that the size of the operation may lead to vital monetary losses to the state as a result of unpaid taxes.
“If we take out 540,000 liters and assume that there’s a tax of 1 cedi per liter, we are going to lose over GH¢540,000 in only one spherical,” he mentioned.
Mr Tamekuro mentioned the destruction of the canoes was geared toward dismantling the infrastructure supporting unlawful refueling actions and sending a robust deterrent message to criminals.
“With out these canoes, the entire unlawful infrastructure begins to crumble,” he mentioned.
He added that the NPA, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, Maritime Police Drive and Nationwide Safety, will proceed its intelligence-led operation to clamp down on illicit oil actions off the coast of Ghana.
The Western Naval Command has reaffirmed its dedication to implementing maritime legal guidelines and dealing with related stakeholders to guard Ghana’s waters and marine assets.
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