NPA confiscates 73,000 liters of crude oil, 108,000 liters of diesel form smugglers in Takoradi   – Skyy Power FM

Western Region Director of the Authority, Sandra Aidoo has hinted that her office has confiscated 73,000 liters of crude oil and 108,000 liters of diesel from some smugglers in separate operations in Takoradi led by the Western Naval Command, Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Marine Police between January and April 2023.

The growing activities of these illegal boats, locally called “Dendeys”, is becoming a menace in the Sekondi-Takoradi area.

Disguised as fishing boats, these massive wooden vessels, with the storage capacity of tens of thousands of litres and propelled by twin-outboard motors, go to the high seas, mostly at night where criminal tanker ships dock.

Tons of fuel is pumped from the tankers into these wooden boats which sail to different beaches and discharge their content into fuel tankers on the blind side of tax and other regulatory authorities.

Speaking to the Skyy News’ Patrick Ennimil Arthur, on the sidelines of a media engagement in Takoradi, the Western Region Director of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Sandra Aidoo said the Authority through the vigilance of it partners like the Ghana Maritime Authority and the Navy initially confiscated 108,000 liters of diesel on the high seas in January. The smugglers she indicated were arrested and are currently standing trial at the law court. And in April 2023, 73,000 liters of crude oil was also confiscated. “The smugglers bolted so the product is currently with us”, she added.

According to her, the NPA will determine what happens to the product after the final determination of the case in court.

“We still have the products at our disposal and we shall determine what happens to it after the final determination of the case in court. For the crude oil, the smugglers bolted so we have transported the product to Accra and the public will know what happens to it.”

She adds that the activities of the smugglers are affecting the quality of fuel distributed at the pumps since some filling station owners purchase these products at a cheaper price at the blind side of the Authority.

Madam Sandra Aidoo indicated these cases are very rampant in the Western Region and it is affecting their operations. “These products are not taxed and the smugglers sell them directly to the stations. The quality of such products cannot be guaranteed as well so we should not allow them into the market,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Western Region office of the National Petroleum Authority in collaboration has closed down and revoked the licenses of four fuel pump stations for failing to meet the requirements of the Authority.