The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has issued a stern warning to petroleum businesses and fuel stations across the country, stating that any outlet found operating without the legally required license risks immediate closure and possible decommissioning.
This public notice is part of the NPA’s efforts to curb illicit storage and marketing of petroleum products.
According to the public notice, dated Tuesday, August 12, the NPA has observed that “some persons are engaged in illicit storage and marketing of petroleum products.”
The authority is therefore cautioning all persons involved to comply strictly with the regulatory requirements necessary to operate within the Petroleum Downstream Industry.
The warning is directly tied to Section 11 of the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691), as amended. The Act stipulates that “a person shall NOT engage in a business or commercial activity in the petroleum downstream industry UNLESS that person has been granted a license for that purpose by the (NPA) Board.”
The NPA notes that business activities requiring such a license include the importation, exportation, re-exportation, shipment, transportation, processing, refining, storage, distribution, marketing, and sale of designated petroleum products like crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas.
The NPA notice further clarifies the qualifications for obtaining a license, stating that under Section 12 of Act 691, a license may only be granted to a Ghanaian, or a foreign company in a registered joint venture with a Ghanaian partner, in accordance with local content and participation requirements.
The Act also mandates that a license issued to a business must be conspicuously displayed on the business premises.
“The NPA is cautioning all persons that failure to acquire the requisite license as required by the NPA Act will result in the locking up and or decommissioning of all illegal outlets,” the notice warned.
