Ghana: Gov’t Acted On Contaminated Fuel Saga- BOST Replies NDC

The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company Ltd has rubbished claims by Ghana’s largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) failed to act when the issue of contaminated fuel occurred at BOST in 2017.

At a press conference addressed by the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi accused the Akufo-Addo-led governing NPP of sweeping the issue under the carpet for reasons known to them.

“Today, we know that the committee tasked to investigate the Movenpina-Zup Oil contaminated fuel saga, has found that the transaction was criminal and that, the proceeds from same has not been paid into the state coffers till date. Indeed, the committee’s report indicates that Movenpina has not paid BOST for the 471,000 litres sold through Zup Oil Limited. The committee also found out that thousands of litres of fuel which was lodged in the tanks of the NPA could not be accounted for.

“President Akufo Addo’s handling of the “BOSTGATE” corruption scandal smacks of grand collusion and cover up of epic proportions. The fact that till date no one is standing prosecution for this pungent corruption scandal which has caused the nation huge financial losses, bears Akufo-Addo out as the biggest enabler and promoter of corruption,” he said.

However, in its response to the allegations, BOST said it has an evidence to suggest the government acted.
According to BOST, the National Security and BNI, as well as the Ministry of Energy, set up committees and investigated the allegations and reported their findings.

“The Minister for Energy also constituted a committee made up of representatives from the National Security and the National Petroluem Authority (NPA) to investigate the allegations and reported their findings to the Minister,” the statement said.

It noted that BOST further constituted a committee which was made up of key industrial players to investigate the fuel contamination, and the committee also submitted its findings to the company.

BOST also refuted claims by the NDC that the company sold five million litres of contaminated products to unlicensed companies, explaining that it was 471,000 litres which was sold. According to the company, the remaining product was sent to Tema Oil Refinery for correction.

BOST explained that the then MD of the company relied on the established practice for the disposal of the contaminated product.

“Prior to 2017, a total of 38 companies including the local union of BOST, were allowed to buy contaminated products from BOST. It is on record that these companies were not licensed for that purpose,” the company said.

BOST provided the list to back its claims.