The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is gearing up to regulate the importation, storage, processing, and marketing of bitumen in Ghana, with the new regulatory framework set to take effect in January 2024.
This move aims to streamline the bitumen supply chain and ensure compliance with national quality standards.
The forthcoming regulatory framework is a collaborative effort involving the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA), and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
It provides detailed guidelines for licensing, national bitumen standards, and supply procedures, among other key aspects.
Mrs. Alpha Welbeck, the Director of Economic Regulation and Planning at the NPA, announced these developments at a media briefing in Accra.
She emphasized the importance of industry players using the remaining period of 2023 to align their operations with the forthcoming regulatory framework.
“Existing bitumen facilities and new entrants will have to acquire a license before they will be allowed to operate in the industry beginning 2024,” Mrs Welbeck stressed.
The bitumen industry holds substantial potential for contributing to economic growth and development, primarily due to its critical role in road construction.
Despite being a petroleum product, bitumen has not received the same level of monitoring and regulation as other petroleum products like petrol, diesel, and LPG.
As background, a study was conducted in 2014 to assess supply chain practices and gather baseline information about the bitumen industry.
Following this study, the NPA collaborated with stakeholders such as the GHA, GRA – Customs Division, GSA, and existing industry players to develop comprehensive guidelines for bitumen supply.
These efforts have culminated in the new regulatory framework, set to be enforced from January 2024.
In the coming weeks, a public notice will be issued detailing the requirements for obtaining a license.
This notice aims to provide existing industry players and newcomers with the necessary information to align their operations with the regulatory framework before the 2024 deadline.
