Non-compliant OMCs for sanity will be sanctioned — NPA CEO

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has pledged to uphold strict enforcement of regulations governing Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry, while assuring stakeholders of fairness and support.

Speaking at the opening of the second edition of the NPA Downstream Compliance Workshop in Accra, Mr. Tameklo made it clear that the Authority would “put a human face on the law,” but emphasized that sanctions would be applied to any industry player found violating the rules.

“As the acting CEO of this authority, I will not do anything to harm your business but if you go contrary to the law, we will ensure full compliance,” he said. “We will continue the partnership, but let there be mutual respect.”

The three-day workshop drew participants from Bulk Oil Import, Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECS), Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), LPG Marketing Companies (LPMCs), refineries, depots, allied operators, and transport companies. Topics explored included claims management, compliance in petroleum imports and exports, licensing, permits, and local content regulations.

Mr. Tameklo reaffirmed the NPA’s duty to ensure industry growth and safety by prioritizing enforcement of established protocols.

“We will ensure increased compliance. We will also ensure compliance with the rules and procedures. The reason we have to do that is for our collective safety. Central to this is the issue of compliance in order to make the industry comfortable for all players,” he said.

He referenced past tragedies such as the 2017 Atomic Junction gas explosion to highlight the dangers of regulatory breaches, noting that public pressure to shield violators would not deter the NPA from doing its job.

“Regulations come with the law, and the law is the law. Once the law is the law, non-compliance comes with sanctions,” he emphasized.

As part of efforts to balance enforcement with business continuity, Mr. Tameklo announced a new grace period policy for defaulting companies. Rather than immediately deactivating them from the NPA portal, the Authority will now offer a five-day window for companies to resolve their infractions.

However, he warned that failure to comply within the grace period would come with consequences. “Companies that fail to comply within the five days would have to take responsibility for their actions,” he stated.

He called for enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders to build a resilient and compliant downstream sector.

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Riverson Oppong, CEO of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Marketing Companies (CBOMC), noted that while the industry held substantial growth potential, it faced significant setbacks due to bureaucratic inefficiencies.

“For the downstream sector to thrive, we must overcome these bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure regulatory processes are swift and transparent,” Dr. Oppong said.

He urged stakeholders to meet financial obligations promptly to prevent delays in product availability and rising operational costs that ultimately affect the consumer.

The workshop is expected to yield actionable strategies to enhance compliance, boost operational efficiency, and ensure safety and accountability within Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.