NPA Moves To Ensure Consistent Fuel Supply2 min read

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has taken measures to ensure the consistent supply of petroleum products to customers.

Speaking at a media engagement in Cape Coast, Head of Planning NPA, Dominic Aboagye, said the interventions include management of storage depots, the laycan allocation programme and stock monitoring and reporting.

Besides, he said, the Gold for Oil programme, the Bank of Ghana forex support to Bulk Oil Distribution Companies and the granting of Special International Oil Trading License were key to preventing any risk of fuel supply disruption.

He said local production of fuel by Akwaaba Oil Refinery and the Platon Gas Oil Refinery were supporting the sector.

He said local fuel refinery would be ramped up with the expected start of operation by the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the completion of the Sentuo refinery.

The first phase of Sentuo refinery would produce 40,000 barrels per day, which would be increased to 100,000 barrels per day.

Mr. Aboagye noted that the country’s daily fuel demand was about 110,000 metric tonnes of fuel per day.

Therefore, he said that the completion of the Sentuo refinery would ensure local fuel sufficiency.

In his presentation, the Central Regional Manager of NPA, Michael Opoku-Obiri said an applicant for starting a filling station needed to have a site plan, no objection construction permit, an authorization test run, and an authorization to operate from the Authority.

He said that the NPA conducts main inspection, compliance random inspection, and monthly quality control visits to filling stations to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.

Mr. Opoku-Obiri mentioned use of loading ramps to tilt vehicles to be filled to the brim, under-delivery at the pumps, and unavailability of water finding paste as some of the infractions, which the office was working to correct in the region.

Director of Economic Regulation and Planning, Alpha Welbeck said the focus of this year’s education was on the security of supply of petroleum products and the requirements for siting filling stations.