The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, NPA, Hassan Tampuli, has vowed to deal with individuals or groups caught engaging in the illegal fuel trade, regardless of their social standing in society. Illegal fuel traders will thus, face punishment from the National Petroleum Authority.
According to him there is the tendency for illegal fuel traders to use political party affiliations as cover to try and influence officials of the NPA to engage in their activities.
He however warned that such a practice will no longer be entertained, as he is going to ensure that all fuel trade is carried out lawfully.
Mr Tampuli was speaking at the launch of the second phase of the Petroleum Product Marking Scheme in Accra on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Tackling the menace
Despite the challenges, he added, that his outift was working assiduously to tackle illegal fuel traders head-on, indicating that National Security and other Security agencies are helping to reduce the menace of supply leakages such as export dumping in the country.
Owing to this, he again indicated that the collaborative efforts by the National Petroleum Authority was bearing fruits as the petroleum products consumption statistics show that the leakages were reduced.
Fuel marking scheme
The Petroleum Marking Scheme provides the foundation for an effective quality monitoring system of petroleum products in the country,
Again, it among other things, offers consumer quality assurance and protection for products at the final dispensing outlet while also checking or controlling malpractices that result in loss of government revenue and a secondary effect of interfering with product quality.
Pieces of information on the NPA website further indicates that fuel marking is the introduction of a unique identifier (bio-chemical liquid) in trace quantities into petroleum products at depots before distribution unto the market.
Additionally, the marker creates “finger print” and provides a secure, tamper-proof method of authentication.
“Marked fuel can be distinguished from unmarked fuel through a process of testing using specialized detecting equipment (LSX2000 and MSX1000)”.
According to the NPA’s Chief Executive Officer, the marker is a unique identifier, which helps in distinguishing the various types of petroleum products and exposes foreign product which may be added to it. All aimed at minimizing activities of illegal fuel traders
“This is achieved by testing samples of petroleum products on a monthly basis at approximately 75 percent of retail outlets and bulk consumers across the country,” he added.
