The Institute for Energy Security (IES) and the Chamber for Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) have accused Sentuo Oil Refinery of flooding the Ghanaian fuel market with unwholesome petroleum products. These products are said to be in violation of national fuel specifications and all laid down regulations, licenses, and permits pertaining to the country’s downstream petroleum market.
According to the energy think tanks, the out-of-specification products have been causing damage to vehicles and machinery, with key oil marketing brands struggling to find ways to dislodge these products. Some have even been compelled to shut down dispensing pumps, while the regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), appears helpless to address the issue.
In their statement, they called on the Special Prosecutor to investigate the activities of the Sentuo Oil Refinery to determine how substandard petroleum products found their way into the Ghanaian petroleum market.
The IES and COPEC also urged President Akufo-Addo to devote the same time and energy to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as it is doing for Sentuo, even though Sentuo has not acquired all necessary permits and licenses to operate in the oil refinery and marketing space. As a result, out-of-specification products have seeped into the Ghanaian market.
Furthermore, the IES and COPEC emphasized that if the current menace is not immediately addressed, they will not hesitate to take legal action against the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the National Petroleum Authority. The worrying developments by the Sentuo Oil Refinery in pumping sub-standard products onto the market could lead to a surge in malfunctioning engines, particularly in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and the three Northern regions.
They also highlighted that aside from the construction permit granted to the Chinese Sentuo Oil refinery, no other license has been issued to warrant Sentuo to commence oil processing, trading, and marketing. They emphasized that this is in clear contravention of established national laws and acts.
In addition, the Sentuo Oil Refinery has failed to collaborate with the Inspection and Monitoring Department of the NPA to acquire the necessary permits and develop the necessary checklists for the inspection of the refinery facility. The actions of the Sentuo Oil Refinery have raised concerns, especially as the state oil refinery, TOR, is in an ailing and distressed state.
The IES and COPEC are adamant that immediate action must be taken to address the issue, or legal action against the regulatory bodies could follow. The presence of substandard products on the market poses a serious threat to the economy and the well-being of consumers.
