NPA Cautions Against Illicit Storage, Marketing Of Petroleum Products

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has cautioned the public against illicit storage and marketing of petroleum products.

It comes after its attention was drawn to the illegal act.

“These persons are by this public notice cautioned to comply with the regulatory requirements necessary to operate in the Petroleum Downstream Industry,” it said in a statement.

Referencing Section 11 of the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691) as amended, it said:

(1) A person shall NOT engage in a business or commercial activity in the petroleum downstream industry UNLESS that person has been granted a license for that purpose by the NPA Board.

(2) The business or commercial activities of the downstream industry in respect of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and other designated petroleum products include (a) Importation; (b) Exportation; (c) Re-exportation; (d) Shipment; (e) Transportation; (f) Processing: (g) Refining (h) Storage; (i) Distribution: (j) Marketing, and (k) Sale.

Qualification For License
Section 12 of Act 691, as amended, states that “A license under this Act may only be granted to (a) a Ghanaian, or (b) a foreign company in a registered joint venture relationship with a Ghanaian in accordance with the Ghanaian content and Ghanaian participation requirements.”

Display of License
The Act also states that a license issued under this Act shall be conspicuously exhibited by the licensee in a prominent place on the business premises.

By this notice, the NPA is cautioning all persons that failure to acquire the requisite license as required by the NPA Act will result in the locking up and or decommissioning of all illegal outlets.