NPA, Navy destroy illegal fuel-carrying canoes
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has conducted a controlled destruction of large canoes seized for smuggling fuel through unapproved routes.
The Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, joined Naval officials yesterday to carry out the destruction of the eight large canoes at the Sekondi Naval Base. Also present was the Flag Officer Commanding, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono.
The destruction was carried out at the Home Port of the Western Naval Command in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region.
The canoes, known locally as “Dendey,” were intercepted carrying a combined load of 5,800 litres of fuel being smuggled into the country.
Canoes
Canoes used for illegal fuel bunkering are typically unregistered, custom-built wooden vessels.
They are specifically designed to transport large volumes of petroleum products and operate without the required permits from the Ghana Maritime Authority and the NPA.
The jumbo-size boats are often modified versions of traditional canoes built to facilitate the transfer of fuel from larger "mother vessels" anchored offshore to coastal landing sites or natural beaches.
Owing to the dangers of the illicit activities and the safety of the product, the clampdown on their activities is frequently intercepted at landing beaches in the Western Region, as well as off the coast of Aflao, mostly at night.
Caution
Mr Tameklo warned those in illegal bunkering activities along the coasts to desist from their illicit ways because the authority would deal with them when caught.
He said smuggling of petroleum posed a serious threat to the product, adding that only quality petroleum products would be supplied to consumers.
Mr Tameklo said the NPA was intensifying efforts to prevent adulterated and unregulated fuel products from entering the market, but said the illegal transportation of petroleum products through unauthorised sea routes made it difficult for the authority to properly monitor and verify fuel quality, thereby exposing the public to possible health and safety risks.
Mr Tameklo thanked the Navy and other stakeholders for their vigilance on deep-sea smuggling activities.
