Fuel Smuggling: Navy, NPA impound 2 vessels

The Ghana Navy in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) have impounded two unregistered oil vessels on Ghanaian territorial waters for allegedly engaging in illegal oil trade.

The vessels believed to be Nigerian vessels had 11 crew on board with a total of 320 metric tons of fuel.

Addressing a news conference in Tema on Saturday, 14 April 2018, the Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Headquarters, Commodore Issah Yakubu, said investigations is yet to be conducted to know the actual quantity of the product.

He added that, the two vessels were not licensed hence their arrest.

Commodore Yakubu further issued a warning to persons who may be nursing plans of engaging in these illegal activities that the collaborative machinery of the state has been revitalised to deal with miscreants.

On his part, the Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Petroleum Authority Hassan Tampuli, mentioned that, all the institutions in the oil industry will carry out an independent investigations to ascertain whether or not the confiscated products type meet the Ghanaian specs. He stressed that proper sanctions will be meted out to the culprits if found guilty.