NPA threatens to sue GLENCORE for operating without licence
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has ordered GLENCORE to stop importing and selling petroleum products illegally or risk being sued.
The authority’s threat was conveyed to GLENCORE in a letter dated June 23 and cited by the Daily Graphic.
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It was signed by the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Alhassan S. Tampuli, and copied to the Energy Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko.
Glencore
The letter stated that although GLENCORE was not one of the companies on NPA’s list of licensed companies, the authority had realised that the company “has been engaging in downstream petroleum activities by importing petroleum products for storage and subsequent sale to the bulk oil distribution companies (BDCs), oil marketing companies (OMCs) and bulk customers in the power sector.
“We wish to advise that the importation of petroleum products into the country is carried out only by companies duly licensed by the authority,” the letter added.
The company’s threat comes two months after the Bulk Oil Transportation Company (BOST) was found to have sold five million litres of contaminated fuel on wholesale basis to two unlicensed companies – Movenpinaa and Zup Oil.
The NPA’s detection and subsequent caution is expected to help nip the company’s alleged illegal activities in the bud and prevent a full-blown activity that could have adverse implications on the downstream petroleum sector.