The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has strongly called on Parliament to urgently amend existing laws to impose tougher penalties on individuals and entities operating unauthorized fuel stations nationwide.
Speaking at a retreat for the Energy Committee of Parliament at the Royal Senchi Hotel in the Eastern Region, Lawyer Tamakloe described the current penalty regime—pegged at GH₵20,000—as ‘woefully inadequate’ and ineffective in deterring illegal fuel operations.
“The current fines are not biting enough. If the penalties are punitive enough, it will discourage unscrupulous individuals from setting up filling stations in unauthorised locations. These are not just regulatory breaches—they are life-threatening infractions,” he said.
Lawyer Tamakloe warned that the rising number of illegal fuel outlets has been directly linked to several fatal explosions across the country, underscoring the urgent need for reforms to safeguard lives and property.
He warned, “Some of these unauthorised stations are ticking time bombs. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye while lives are lost and communities are put at risk.”
NPA’s mandate
He emphasised that although the NPA, under the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691), is mandated to regulate, oversee, and monitor the downstream petroleum industry, the current legal framework fails to provide the Authority with adequate enforcement muscle.
“Our mandate is clear, but we need the right tools to execute it effectively. We are calling on Parliament to help us close this dangerous loophole by strengthening the law. We need penalties that reflect the gravity of the threat posed by these illegal operations.”
The NPA, he said, is ready to collaborate with lawmakers to draft and propose amendments that would not only increase the fines but also introduce criminal liabilities and enhanced regulatory oversight to prevent future occurrences.
“This is not just about enforcement—it’s about protecting lives, preserving infrastructure, and ensuring national energy security,” he stressed.