The Association also called for the premix fuel distribution routes to be published in the dailies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”apNRn3lFpiDtugveoLnDGF3KSQjF77CX”]At least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017.

In all instances, products documented to be bound for outside the Greater Accra Region, ended up within the region, according to information obtained by the NPA’s BRV Tracking System and Returns.

Some OMCs have borne the brunt of the criticism in the wake of the scandal.

But in a statement describing some of the criticisms against OMCs as unwarranted, AOMCs said its members “have no means of having any real-time knowledge of diversions as they are not privy to the interface display of the tracking device by NPA, and thus act accordingly… In few cases that OMCs have investigated, they have had cause to terminate the contract with the transporter.”

The Association added that, when it has conducted “gruesome and painstakingly investigations” into the suspected diversion by some OMCs, the results have shown that “some landing beach committee members misdirect the BRV driver to discharge to some other location with compelling reasons and duly append their signature forthwith.”

Thus the Association said its members should be equipped with the interface display “so that they can monitor the fuel and take drastic action.”

“We also believe that the weekly Orders and allocation of Premix should be published in the Media or dailies in an open and transparent Manner,” the AOMCs statement added.

The AOMCs stressed that, it did not “condone or connive with recalcitrant players in the value chain who would like to play an unfair game to sabotage the economy and the state efforts to have subsidized fuel for fisher folks, and will welcome any action to forestall, as part of the actions against illegal fuel sales.”

Find below the full statement

RESPONSE OF  ASSOCIATION OF OIL MARKETING COMPANIES (AOMCs) ON PREMIX DIVERSION NEWS ITEM

We have observed with utmost concern a news item on the various media channels to the effect that OMCs have been diverting premix fuel meant for fisher folks at their respective landing beaches. The over generalization and absolute inclusion of all OMCs especially those doing genuine business in this canker, warrant the following reaction;

1. The orders for the landing beach committees(LBCs) are allocated to the selected OMCs by the premix Secretariat on weekly basis
2. The select OMCs on receipt of such orders contract the transporters for the premix to be conveyed to the designated Landing Beach Committee
3. It has been observed that Landing Beach Committee’s , immediately continue to monitor with the respective transporter prior to loading on the Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) until its loaded with a particular phone
4. A member of the landing beach committee then directs the driver of the transporter of the premix fuel to the designated location for the fuel to be discharged. It must be noted that some locations of where fuel is discharged for a particular landing beach committee invariably does not match the name of the landing beach committee as tank its supposed discharge units, may not be located at the jurisdiction of the landing beach committee.
5. The OMCs duly received appropriate documents signed by an official of the landing beach committee to connote that the product has been received in good condition.
6. It is only when claims have been vetted by the NPA that select OMCs get to know that it has been diverted.
7. NPA sanctions the OMC by forfeiture of the freight claims and also put a fine against the OMCs.
8. In most cases, gruesome and painstakingly investigations by some OMCs have revealed that, some landing beach committee members misdirect the BRV driver to discharge to some other location with compelling reasons and duly append their signature forthwith.
9. OMCs have no means of having a real time knowledge of diversions as they are not privy to the interface display of the tracking device by NPA and thus act accordingly.
10. In few cases, that OMCs have investigated, they have had cause to terminate the contract with the transporter.

WAY FORWARD

1. The AOMCs do not and will not condone or connive with recalcitrant players in the value chain who would like to play an unfair game to sabotage the economy and the state efforts to have a subsidized fuel for fisher folks and will welcome any action to forestall, as part of the actions against illegal fuel sales.
2. It is evident that we, as industry, regulators and the state need to critically look at the motivation for such bad social enterprise (PREMIX DIVERSION)
3. As an interim measure, equip the OMCs to have a tool (interface display) so that they can monitor the fuel and take drastic action.
4. We also believe that the weekly Orders and allocation of Premix should be published in the Media or dailies in an open and transparent Manner

Kwaku Agyemang-Duah ( Industry Coordinator )- 1st December, 2017

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Give us tools to track premix distribution – OMCs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Atomic Junction gas explosion, which occurred on Saturday, claimed the lives of seven people, injuring over a hundred others.

[contextly_sidebar id=”O9jEZPmMDPFNuFJNeU3IRX4jyq5aS3Cl”]Following the explosion, scores of students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Monday staged a demonstration on campus against the siting of a fuel station close to the school.

Similar protests have taken place in other areas in Accra. The government has indicated that it will come out with some decisions at cabinet, to deal address the situation, and prevent such fires in thee future.

Speaking at a press conference today [Thursday], the CEO of the AOMC, Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, urged the government not to succumb to panic reactions from a section of the public, but come out with a holistic policy.

“The unparalleled marauding, demonstrations against some legitimate retail outlets and hitting the panic button “exemplified” by the wanton closure of retail outlets in a rambo style by some unrepentant MMDCEs in an industry regulatory by specific bodies, is unwarranted and must be condemned with all the attempt it deserves,” he said.

“This has innate results of culminating in chaos and anarchy in the society and inflaming passion among the citizenry thereby creating disaffection for OMCs/LPGMs,” he warned.

Mr. Agyemang-Duah stated that, OMCs/LPGMs are neither ‘monsters’ nor ‘criminals’, but are Ghanaians making a living by legally investing in the petroleum industry.

“Some marketers have their administrative offices within the confines of such outlets. Therefore, our intent to have a safe operation of our outlets cannot be in doubt,” he maintained.

Mr. Agyemanag-Duah suggested that, the situation rather calls for a sober deep-seated thought, through unbiased and unfettered investigations to unearth the root causes, and furnish the nation with sustained corrective and preventive actions, which will inform the public in a positive manner, whilst consolidating or improving the existing industry standards for public safety.

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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Don’t stampede gov’t into closing fuel stations – OMCs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These OMCs, 57 in number, were fined GHc 261,000 for engaging in various infractions in the Greater Accra Region alone, between September 2016 and August 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rkzBhV9WBdRa0jrSzVftidyO7kf1xGVM”]Prof. Dodoo noted on the Citi Breakfast Show that there are aspects of the law being enforced that needed to be strengthened, and submissions have been made to the Ministry of Trade and Parliament in this regard.

The GSA is the custodian of the weight and measures act, which has oversight over measurement-related trade.

Of the infractions in question, 45 pump stations served less fuel than the customers purchased, and were fined GHc 5,000. Ten other pump stations used pumps that were not verified by the GSA and were fined GHc3,000. Two other stations were found to have broken nozzles in pumps and were fined GHc 3,000.

As part of possible changes to the law, Prof. Dodoo said his outfit has requested the Minister of Trade to review the fines upwards “so that it would be enough of a deterrent for those who do not comply with regulations.”

He added that: “We have submitted a new Bill and Parliament is going to consider it; that they must be stiffer in the sanctions that apply.”

Till the law changes, he said, “unfortunately, we can only apply the functions as prescribed by law.”

Fairness needed in naming and shaming

Prof. Dodoo stressed that the GSA was in favour of naming and shaming offending companies, subject to parliamentary approval, because “once you start naming, obviously it serves as a deterrent and once we are given the right, we will do that.”

The GSA, however gives the benefit of doubt when infractions are cited, as its “first view is that, it is an honest and genuine mistake or problem,” according to Prof. Dodoo.

“It is important to bring everyone on board so that as you crack the whip, it is seen to be fair and seen to be proportionate. But immediate naming, I think, will be disproportionate. For instance, if you have a company with 200 stations and you have an issue with one, just naming that one out of the 200 may give an impression which may not be in the interest of the business and in the interest of fairness.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We can’t name and shame ‘cheating’ OMCs yet – GSA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.