The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has refuted claims made by the Institute of Energy Security (IES) and the Chamber for Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) regarding the regulator's handling of Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited (SORL).
In response to a report by IES and COPEC suggesting that SORL supplied fuel that did not meet regulatory specifications, the NPA clarified that it revoked the approval for SORL to supply the product and has consistently enforced industry regulations.
The NPA emphasized that it issued SORL with a test-run authorization in October 2023, based on technical assessments and external inspections. This authorization, expiring on March 31, 2024, allows a refinery to market products meeting national standards.
During a monitoring exercise on February 16, 2024, the NPA observed that the petrol consignment from SORL exhibited vapour pressure exceeding maximum requirements per Ghana Standard for Petrol GS 140:2022. Consequently, the NPA suspended the sale of the affected consignment and directed its evacuation from stations.
The NPA disputed allegations of damage to motorists' vehicles, clarifying that the issue pertained to high vapour pressure rather than vehicle damage.
The authority assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the integrity and quality of petroleum products, stating that sanctions have been imposed on SORL in addition to remedial actions.
The NPA concluded by affirming its impartial enforcement of rules in the interest of consumers, underscoring its dedication to upholding standards in the petroleum industry.