The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has dismissed claims made by energy watchdogs, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), and the Institute for Energy Security (IES) that Chinese Sentuo Oil Refinery’s petroleum products have caused damage to vehicles and machines.
The NPA, however, described the assertions by COPEC and IES as “incorrect and alarmist” that the “out-of-specification” products have caused such damages.
COPEC and IES, in a joint statement, accused the NPA of “playing soft” on the Chinese Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited.
The energy watchdogs stated that Sentuo Oil has been operating in the downstream petroleum market without the necessary permit from the NPA.
But NPA, in a statement dated Thursday, February 22, said, “The NPA has, at all material times, enforced the rules and regulations governing the industry fairly and equitably. It is therefore incorrect for the IES and COPEC to allege that the NPA is “playing soft” with SORL [Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited] “to the detriment of consumers and the state.”
Read more: Attempts to whitewash Sentuo Oil’s breaches won’t work – Duncan Amoah to NPA
The regulator categorically stated that “no such damage to vehicles has occurred as the defect has to do with high vapour pressure.”
“It is incorrect and alarmist for the IES and COPEC to allege that the “out-of-specification products are reported as causing damage to vehicles and machinery,” it added.
The NPA further noted that “beyond the remedial actions taken, sanctions have also been imposed on SORL.”
But COPEC has served notice of an imminent court action against the regulator.
The Executive Director of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, speaking to Alfred Ocansey, host of Ghana Tonight, yesterday [February 22], said, “We would have wished to settle this matter without further recourse to any form of restitution.”
Read also: IES, COPEC call on OSP to investigate Sentuo Oil Refinery
“But clearly, we have already made attempts with our lawyers to seek justice for the numerous people who within the past few days have had challenges with their vehicles or engines as a result of this bad fuel consignment, that the NPA wants to water down,” he added.
Read the NPA statement below
