The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has announced that the Authority is set to roll out a pilot 24-hour operational system in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector by the end of December.
The initiative, he said, forms part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing fuel supply efficiency, improving security, and creating sustainable jobs for Ghanaians.
Speaking at a media soiree at the NPA headquarters in Accra on Monday, Mr. Tamakloe indicated that one of the major things the Authority has focused on i security. “With the support of the Inspector-General of Police, we are working with officers of the Ghana Police Service to properly structure how the 24-hour economy will function within the petroleum downstream,” he stated.
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Mr. Tamakloe revealed that the NPA has already engaged key stakeholders, including a national steering committee with representation from security agencies, to prepare the ground for the pilot programme.
“We intend to roll out a pilot programme this December. We want to begin before the end of the year because we strongly believe we can harness the full benefits of a 24-hour petroleum operation,” he explained.
He stressed that the policy will not only improve productivity but also balance technology adoption with job creation.
“As much as we want to use technology, we are equally mindful that this system must create jobs. We need employment opportunities for our people, and that balance is very important to us,” he added.
Efficiency
The NPA CEO disclosed that a major bottleneck in night-time petroleum operations at jetties has been inadequate lighting and safety concerns. He added that safety fears, including the presence of snakes at night, have discouraged workers from operating after dark.
According to him, once the entire jetty area is lit, vessels that finish discharging in the evening can make way for the next vessel immediately, which alone will significantly improve efficiency.
Mr. Tamakloe also revealed a sharp increase in diesel consumption, underscoring the growing importance of efficient downstream management.
“A year ago, total diesel consumption was around 180 million litres. Last year, it exceeded 360 million litres. That is almost double, and it is quite significant,” he said.
He indicated that local fuel production now accounts for nearly 40 per cent of national demand, reducing over-reliance on external supply sources.
“We are seeing production levels of about 90,000 barrels per day, which is close to 40 per cent of local demand. That is a major improvement,” he stated.
According to the NPA CEO, the Authority has also intensified monitoring of fuel production and distribution, while exploring reforms in insurance and risk management within the downstream sector.
“There is a dedicated team monitoring production levels daily and reporting to the Authority. Our revenue and regulatory teams are tracking everything that goes on to ensure efficiency and transparency,” he explained.
He assured that measures are being designed to ensure fuel security even when disruptions occur. “We have planned so that we are not overly reliant on a single source. Anything can happen, and we must always be prepared,” Mr. Tamakloe added.