Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has fined nine oil marketing companies to the tune of Gh¢2,215,000 (equivalent of $201,343.50) for engaging in third-party trading of petroleum products and unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

The companies which engaged in the unlawful acts are Bello Petroleum, Jas Petroleum, Oval Energy, Kros Energy, Safety Petroleum and Santol Energy.

The remaining are Riseglobe Energy, Sayon Energy and Cigo Energy.

This was contained in a release issued by the NPA on Tuesday, 11th October 2022.

The NPA directed that “Cigo Energy pays a fine of Gh₵725,000.00 comprising Gh₵30,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the second time and Gh₵695,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.”

It fined Sayon Energy Gh₵425,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵415,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products while Bello Petroleum was slapped with a fine of Gh₵120, 000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵110,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

The regulator also fined Jas Petroleum Gh₵65,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵55,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products while Oval Energy was fined Gh₵245,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third party supplies for the first time and Gh₵235,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

Kris Energy was sanctioned to pay a fine of Gh₵295,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵285, 000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

Safety Petroleum will pay a fine of Gh₵200,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵190,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

NPA directed Safety Petroleum to pay a fine of Gh₵200,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵190,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

“Santol Energy will pay a fine of Gh₵75,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵65,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.

“Riseglobe Energy pays a fine of Gh₵65,000.00 comprising Gh₵10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh₵55,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products,” the release stated.

The NPA gave them up to one month to settle the fines.