Government has cited a syndicate comprising oil marketing companies, landing beach committee members as well as transporters it claims are behind the diversion of premix fuel.
A joint statement issued by the ministries of energy, fisheries and aquaculture as well as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), yesterday stated that the syndicate after loading the premix fuel from the Tema Oil Refinery failed to deliver the products to the desired destination.
Over 200 cases of premix diversions have been recorded this year alone, costing the nation over 22 million Ghana cedis.
The phenomenon, which was rife in 2005, appears to rear its ugly head with the change in government.
It was prevalent under the John Mahama led-National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and does not see any sign of abatement under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo either.
The minority in Parliament has demanded the arrest of members of the landing beach committee who were said to have signed for the products but have nothing to show for it.
Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, Adams Mutawakilu, said the arrest of the committee members will be the first point in getting to the bottom of the diversion.
He was, however, convinced that government was covering up the rot and was refusing to prosecute the syndicate involved in the diversion.
But the government has confirmed the diversions, stating that its preliminary checks had revealed the perpetrators did not deliver to the appropriate destinations after loading.
It, however, failed to name the OMCs and the other syndicate involved.
In the statement the government outlined a number of steps including the closing down of premix outlets it believed did not meet requirement.
“The supply of premix fuel to the lake region will be restricted to the various ports,” the statement said.
Story: Elizabeth AMARFIO
Writer’s email: Elizabeth.amarfio@todaygh.com