Iran’s military on Sunday threatened to completely shut down the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route—if US President Donald Trump follows through on threats to target the country’s power plants.
Trump has given Iran 48 hours to reopen the strait, which has been effectively closed since the start of the war sparked on February 28 by US-Israeli bombardment of Iran.
The conflict has since spread across the Middle East, with Iran responding through drone and missile attacks on Israel and US interests in the region.
“If the United States’ threats regarding Iran’s power plants are carried out, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not be reopened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt,” the military’s operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said in a statement carried by state TV.
The military also said it would strike Israel’s “power plants, energy, and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure,” as well as power facilities in regional countries hosting US bases and companies with US shareholders.
It added that these measures would be taken “to defend our country and the interests of our nation.”
Traffic through the vital strait—through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes—has been reduced to a near standstill since the start of the war.
Only a small number of vessels—around five percent of pre-war volume, according to analytics firm Kpler—have been able to transit the route.
Iranian forces have attacked multiple vessels, saying they failed to heed “warnings” against transiting the waterway.
In recent days, Iran has allowed some vessels from countries it considers friendly to pass, while warning that it would block ships from countries it accuses of joining the “aggression” against it.
Iran’s parliament is also considering imposing tolls on shipping through the strait, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saying maritime traffic would “not return to its pre-war status.”
US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran’s power plants if the country refuses to swiftly reopen the Strait of Hormuz to allow the passage of vessels.
Trump said in a social media post late Saturday that he would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants—beginning with the country’s largest facility—if it did not reopen the strait within 48 hours.
A day after issuing the threat, the US president said he was considering “winding down” the military operation and suggested that responsibility for policing the Strait of Hormuz would fall to countries that rely on shipping through the corridor.
The threats have nearly brought shipments of commodities through the Strait of Hormuz to a halt. The strait accounts for the transit of about 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply.
The resulting energy supply shock has sent crude prices soaring, with the international benchmark Brent futures closing at $112.19 on Friday.
Despite the tensions, some countries are finding ways to move cargo through the corridor. The Iranian Navy has reportedly guided an Indian LNG tanker through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic engagement by New Delhi.
Iranian officials have signaled reluctance to engage in discussions about reopening the strait amid the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s threat to begin by striking Iran’s largest power facilities may also be a reference to the Bushehr nuclear plant.
His latest declaration comes despite an earlier appeal for a halt in Israel’s strikes on regional energy assets, which risk provoking retaliatory attacks by Iran on oil and gas infrastructure and further restricting global supply.
Energy assets across the region have increasingly become targets as the conflict escalates. Israel struck the South Pars gas field last Wednesday, and Iran retaliated with attacks on the world’s largest LNG facility in Qatar.
More than 100 people were injured in Israel on Saturday following multiple Iranian strikes in the country’s south, as Tehran responded to an earlier attack on its own nuclear facility.
As the conflict enters its fourth week and drives up energy prices, the US Treasury has taken the unusual step of allowing the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products already loaded onto tankers, despite existing sanctions.
The surge in prices poses political risks for Trump at home, just eight months before midterm elections expected to hinge largely on voters’ views of the economy and consumer costs.
Although the US is producing record levels of oil and gas domestically and is less dependent on Middle Eastern resources than countries like China and Japan, the supply shock linked to the Strait of Hormuz is still being felt through rising global prices.
Israel said it will no longer target energy infrastructure after an attack on an Iranian gas field sparked retaliatory strikes against energy assets across the Middle East, causing oil and gas prices to surge and prompting a rebuke from President Donald Trump.
“Israel acted alone,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on Thursday, after Israeli officials previously said they had informed the US about the attack.
Netanyahu also said Israeli forces would help the US attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and that the war would be over faster than people think, in comments that helped calm markets on a day that already-elevated energy prices spiked once again.
“I told him, ‘don’t do that.’ And he won’t do that,” Trump said Thursday at the White House, referring to Netanyahu. “We get along great. It’s coordinated. But on occasion, he’ll do something, and if I don’t like it, then – so we’re not doing that.”
The sharp escalation, with the bombing of more energy facilities from both sides, threatened to draw in both Gulf and European powers and exposed tensions between the US and Israel as the war drags on.
For Washington, the costs of the Iran campaign it launched alongside Israel were becoming clearer as the war neared the end of its third week.
On Thursday, Iran said its air defense “seriously damaged” a US F-35 stealth fighter, with US Central Command saying one of the warplanes made an emergency landing and the pilot was in stable condition.
The Pentagon also asked Congress for an additional $200 billion to pay for the war, a person familiar with the matter said. The enormous funding request suggested the US was girding for a protracted conflict, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed concerns and said the US was “on plan” with its war goals.
Yet it’s not clear whether the Defense Department can persuade the sharply divided US Congress to provide the money.
The sum is far larger than the estimated $65 billion the US has spent in security assistance to Ukraine since 2022 and suggests that the administration sees a long campaign ahead against Iran. Democrats criticized the plan and Republicans were noncommittal.
“If there is any hope to get my vote, they have to come forward with a plan,” Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat told Bloomberg Television on Thursday evening.
“They haven’t come through with what an end goal looks like, or what victory looks like.”
Oil dropped from its highest close since July 2022 after Trump and Netanyahu sought to reassure investors rattled by the damage to major Persian Gulf energy facilities. Brent crude fell toward $105 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate for May was around $93.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed in a post on X to show “ZERO restraint” if the country’s energy infrastructure was hit again.
As part of the barrage, Saudi Arabia said a drone hit its Samref refinery on the Red Sea, a vital exit route for the world’s biggest oil exporter, while the kingdom said it also shot down ballistic missiles fired toward the capital, Riyadh.
Qatar reported “extensive damage” at the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant, with QatarEnergy saying the attacks would cost about $20 billion a year in lost revenue and would take as long as five years to repair.
The UAE shut a major gas facility because of falling debris from missiles. Two oil refineries in Kuwait were struck by drones that caused fires, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Iraq also reported a loss of power generation after Iran halted gas supplies from South Pars in the wake of the Israeli attack.
The latest attacks increased the potential for other countries to join the conflict. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud warned overnight that the kingdom’s restraint isn’t “unlimited,” and warned it could take military action.
“It could be a day, two days, or a week,” he told reporters in Riyadh, adding the relationship between the kingdom and Tehran has “completely shattered.”
The Trump administration on Thursday moved ahead with $23 billion in weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, aiming to bolster those countries as they come under attack from Iran, according to a State Department spokesperson.
Now in its 20th day, the war has claimed more than 4,100 lives across the region, with about three quarters of them in Iran. Dozens have been killed across the Middle East, while the US has lost 13 military personnel and numerous aircraft.
The risk of lasting damage to energy infrastructure and supply is increasing. Efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil and LNG flows – have so far been unsuccessful.
Trump temporarily waived a century-old shipping mandate to lower the cost of transporting energy goods around the US in a bid to curb price rises.
Ghana’s premier refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has been ranked the second-best institution in the Public Financial Management (PFM) Compliance League Table released by the Ministry of Finance.
Within the energy sector, TOR outperformed all state-owned agencies, including the supervisory Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, which ranked third.
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) placed fourth, while the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) and the Petroleum Commission ranked seventh and ninth, respectively.
The refinery resumed crude processing in late December 2025 following major rehabilitation works.
For more than six years, refining had been halted due to a non-functioning crude refining unit and mounting debt.
Following a change in government, current management undertook rehabilitation, restored one processing unit, and ramped up output to 28,000 barrels per day.
In a statement, TOR welcomed the recognition and expressed gratitude to its staff and stakeholders for their collective effort in achieving what it described as a historic milestone.
“TOR remains committed to compliance across all facets of good corporate governance,” the statement said.
The PFM Compliance League Table, developed by the Ministry of Finance, fulfils the government’s commitment in the 2025 Budget Statement to publish an objective, evidence-based assessment of public institutions’ compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), its regulations, and related laws.
It benchmarks how institutions adhere to rules governing the use of public funds.
By ranking institutions constructively, the Ministry aims to deepen transparency, promote accountability, and encourage continuous improvement.
The table also highlights significant compliance gaps, underscoring the need for corrective action and stronger enforcement.
The Ministry said it will engage covered entities with low scores to help address the gaps.
Scores of residents of Edibe Edibe Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, have been injured following an explosion at Fonex Gas Station, which also destroyed properties, including vehicles, fuel tanks, and nearby shops.
Injured persons were rushed to nearby hospitals.
The explosion, which occurred around 10 a.m. on Saturday, completely razed the gas and petrol station.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the station is located in a densely populated area, forcing residents and business owners to flee to safety.
The chaotic situation caused by the incident provided an opportunity for hoodlums to loot goods from affected shops and the damaged facility.
Many residents were seen attempting to contain the fire using sand, water, and other improvised methods, as emergency responders had yet to arrive at the scene.
An eyewitness, Mrs. Christiana Uti, told NAN that calls to the fire service by some persons at the scene did not yield immediate results, as they reportedly responded that their fire trucks were not functional.
She added that a fire truck from the University of Calabar later arrived, but only after the affected facilities had been severely damaged.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed that officers had been deployed to the scene.
The State Commanding Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Mrs. Olumayowa Olomola, attributed the inability of her office to respond to the gas station fire to a faulty fire truck.
Olomola explained that the federal fire truck was recently vandalised by hoodlums in Calabar during an operation.
According to her, not only was the truck vandalised, but some fire officers were also injured during the incident.
“The state government is fully aware of this and had promised to fix the truck and treat the injured officers.
“But as we speak, we have made several follow-ups, and they are yet to respond.”
Director of the State Fire Service, Mr. Emmanuel Ajom, said his fire trucks were under maintenance and could not respond to the gas fire incident.
He explained that the trucks were procured about 14 years ago and are currently undergoing routine maintenance.
Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, Dangote Refinery, has increased its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N1,245 per litre, citing rising global geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the energy market.
In a statement on Friday, the refinery attributed the price hike to volatility in global crude oil markets, worsened by ongoing geopolitical conflicts and supply chain uncertainties.
The company said these developments have led to increased crude acquisition costs and higher operational expenses.
With the ex-depot price serving as a benchmark for marketers, the increase is expected to translate into higher retail prices at filling stations across Nigeria.
Independent marketers, who rely heavily on depot supplies, are likely to adjust their pump prices upward in the coming days.
This could push petrol prices in some parts of the country well above current levels, depending on logistics, transportation costs, and regional supply dynamics.
Without reliable power and energy security, Africa cannot industrialise, develop, or attain meaningful prosperity, Ghana’s Energy Minister, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has warned.
Delivering a keynote address at the Powering Africa Summit 2026 in Washington, DC, from March 19 to 20, Dr. Jinapor described the timing of the summit as a truly critical moment amid ongoing global energy shocks.
He spoke about the real impact of rising oil prices on African households and economies, as well as the urgent need to secure energy systems that are reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
He emphasised that Africa cannot industrialise in the dark, cannot develop without power, and cannot achieve meaningful prosperity without energy security.
According to him, this is about economic sovereignty, resilience, and empowerment.
Dr. Jinapor further highlighted the progress being made through reforms, regional integration, and strategic infrastructure, while stressing that financing remains the greatest barrier.
He said stronger partnerships between governments, investors, and development institutions are essential, as no country can achieve this alone.
“Africa must define its own energy future—one that is equitable, investment-ready, and development-centred,” he said.
Despite progress made in terms of electrification, several countries are still struggling to provide reliable power supply to businesses and households.
Zambia has opened three strategic petroleum storage depots in Mongu, Mansa, and Chipata as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on petroleum supply across the country.
The three depots have a combined capacity of 20 million litres. This is in addition to existing storage facilities in Ndola and Mpika.
These facilities are critical to enhancing the country’s fuel reserve system and ensuring a steady supply across all regions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Ephraim Munshifwa, said the government is also actively monitoring supply logistics to ensure the continued availability of all petroleum products, including those with lower stock cover levels.
Global petroleum prices have increased significantly due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted supply chains and heightened uncertainty in the international oil market.
“Government is intensifying efforts to secure alternative sources of petroleum products to diversify supply chains, particularly if the current geopolitical tensions persist,” he said.
As of Thursday, the country’s total available diesel stocks stood at 285 million litres, which, based on an average national daily consumption of five million litres, represents approximately 56 days of cover.
Petrol stocks stand at 40 million litres, equivalent to 23 days of national cover; kerosene stocks are at 65.9 million litres, representing 9.3 days of cover; while Jet A-1 stocks stand at 1.6 million litres, translating into 10 days of cover.
“In the meantime, the ministry wishes to assure the nation that Zambia’s fuel supply remains stable, with adequate stocks to meet national demand,” Mr Munshifwa said.
He cautioned against panic-buying and urged suppliers to refrain from fuel hoarding, noting that such practices are unnecessary and risk creating artificial shortages.
Mr Munshifwa warned that the government will take firm action against any entities found engaging in such conduct.
He added that the ministry will continue to closely monitor global developments and implement appropriate interventions to safeguard Zambia’s energy security and protect consumers.
Prior to the escalation of the conflict, the average price of crude oil on the international market stood at approximately US$78 per barrel. This has since risen to over US$100 per barrel, exerting pressure on domestic fuel pricing structures.
In response, the government has implemented targeted measures aimed at safeguarding national energy security and cushioning consumers from adverse price shocks.
As a result, no upward adjustments were made in March, despite petroleum prices across African markets rising by 30 percent.
An inclusive approach has been adopted to address these challenges, with the government actively engaging key stakeholders across the petroleum value chain—including oil marketing companies, transporters, and regional partners—to ensure coordinated and sustainable solutions.
The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq., has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality petroleum products in Ghana’s downstream sector.
He made this known at the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day celebration, held on 19 March 2026 at the Conference Room of the National Petroleum Authority, under the theme: “Safe Products, Confident Consumers in Ghana’s Downstream Petroleum Sector.”
The event brought together key stakeholders, including regulators, industry players, academia, consumer advocacy groups, and the media, to deliberate on issues affecting consumer welfare.
Delivering the welcome address, the Deputy Chief Executive of the NPA, Dr. Sheila Addo, emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening consumer protection and promoting transparency within the sector.
In his keynote remarks, Mr. Tameklo highlighted the critical role of the downstream petroleum sector in Ghana’s socio-economic development. He outlined measures undertaken by the Authority to safeguard product quality, including the work of its Inspection and Monitoring and Quality Assurance Directorates.
He also noted recent reforms, such as the elevation of the Consumer Services Department into a full Directorate, supported by a modern call centre to improve responsiveness to consumer concerns.
He further acknowledged ongoing industry challenges, including concerns surrounding the fuel price floor policy and the impact of global geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on petroleum prices.
The event featured presentations by relevant Directors of the Authority, followed by moderated panel discussions on “Safeguarding the Quality and Integrity of Petroleum Products Across Ghana’s Downstream Sector” and “Transparency in Fuel Pricing: Is the Consumer Protected?”
Stakeholders used the platform to share insights and propose practical solutions to enhance consumer confidence.
The NPA reiterated its commitment to working closely with partners, including CUTS International, to promote transparency, accountability, and continuous reform in the downstream petroleum sector.
Nigeria’s power transmission company (TCN) has confirmed that Tower T99 along the Ughelli/Benin 330 kilovolt (330kV) transmission line collapsed as a result of vandalism.
A statement issued by Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, in Abuja on Friday said the incident was discovered during a line patrol at Coconut Village, Effurun Local Government Area of Warri, Delta State, following a line trip.
Mrs Mbah said that upon inspection by TCN’s linesmen, it was observed that the fallen tower had some of its bracing members vandalised and carted away, which led to its collapse.
She said that the adjoining towers, T100 and T101, were also vandalised, although they remained standing.
“As a result, there is a temporary disruption in the evacuation of bulk power supply from Transcorp Power Plc to the national grid through the Benin 330kV transmission line.”
However, TCN has commenced the mobilisation of resources to facilitate the reconstruction, restoration, and reinforcement of the vandalised towers and affected transmission line as soon as possible.
“We reiterate that vandalism poses a serious threat to the stability of the nation’s transmission system and urge host communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around transmission installations to security operatives or the nearest TCN office,” she said.
According to her, the fight against vandalism of power infrastructure is a collective responsibility.
“We call on all stakeholders to join hands in protecting these critical national assets from further attacks.”
The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA), managed by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO), says it is making steady progress in expanding electricity access across rural Africa, with Zambia among the key beneficiary countries.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 Off-Grid Taskforce work plan meeting in Zambia, BGFA Senior Project Manager Kari Haemekoski said the fund is playing a pivotal role in supporting private sector-led off-grid energy solutions aimed at reaching underserved communities.
“Our role is to support private sector companies that provide off-grid electricity access,” Haemekoski explained.
“We are managing a programme that operates in six African countries, including Zambia, and focuses on delivering energy to areas beyond the reach of the national grid.”
The BGFA initiative began in Zambia as a pilot in 2018 and has since been scaled to other sub-Saharan African markets.
In addition to Zambia, the programme supports rural electrification initiatives in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Mozambique, and Uganda.
Of the targeted 1.9 million rural connections across these six countries, Zambia is expected to receive one million.
The beneficiary countries were selected to expand access to solar home systems, mini-grids, and other off-grid energy solutions for underserved rural communities.
Participants from the Ministry of Energy, energy regulatory agencies, and private sector energy players at the 2026 Off-Grid Taskforce work plan main meeting in Lusaka.
The BGFA programme operates through two main tracks: direct contracting of companies to deliver electricity connections, and institutional support through platforms such as the Off-Grid Taskforce. The latter aims to strengthen coordination and policy support within the energy sector.
Mr Haemekoski revealed that the programme has committed approximately €110 million in subsidies, with the ambition of leveraging two to four times that amount in private sector investment.
“We are using relatively limited subsidies to crowd in private financing. The idea is to make the model cost-effective and sustainable,” he said.
The initiative, which is expected to run until 2028, has already reached roughly halfway toward its target of delivering 1.9 million electricity connections across the six countries.
According to Mr Haemekoski, progress so far indicates the programme is on track to meet its goals.
A key feature of the BGFA model is its competitive “reverse auction” system, where companies bid for subsidies, with those requesting lower funding receiving higher evaluation scores.
This approach, he noted, has enhanced efficiency and encouraged innovation among participating firms.
Despite the progress, challenges remain—particularly in reaching the most remote rural communities.
“The biggest challenge is the ‘last mile’—serving very remote areas where costs are higher and returns are lower,” Mr Haemekoski said. “In such cases, slightly higher subsidy levels may be required to make projects viable.”
He added that the programme includes mechanisms to support smaller, local companies by allowing them to access relatively higher subsidy levels, ensuring inclusivity in the sector.
The BGFA initiative builds on earlier pilot projects launched in Zambia about a decade ago, with full-scale contracts under the current programme signed approximately five years ago.
Looking ahead, Haemekoski said discussions are underway regarding the future of the programme beyond 2028, particularly in alignment with emerging funding frameworks such as the World Bank-backed ASCENT-Zambia programme.
“If the BGFA programme does not continue in its current form, we hope that other financing mechanisms, including those from the World Bank, can take over and build on what has been achieved,” he said.
As Zambia continues to pursue universal energy access, initiatives like BGFA are expected to play a critical role in bridging the electricity gap and powering rural development.
Several European nations, along with Canada and Japan, have expressed readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada condemned in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, including oil and gas installations, as well as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping route for oil and gas exports to the global market—since the escalation of the war involving the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026.
This development has disrupted global energy supplies, leading to a spike in fuel costs across many economies.
The group of nations noted that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They warned that the effects of Iran’s actions will be felt worldwide, particularly by the most vulnerable populations.
“We call on Iran to immediately cease its threats, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and all other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817,” the statement said.
Consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, the nations emphasized that such interference with international shipping and disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security.
In this regard, they called for an immediate and comprehensive moratorium on attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
The group also welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorize a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves.
They further assured that “we will take additional steps to stabilize energy markets, including working with key producing nations to increase output.”
The group expressed readiness to support the most affected countries, including through the United Nations and international financial institutions.
The Tanzanian Electricity Corporation (TANESCO) has introduced the use of drones to monitor power transmission and distribution as part of efforts to improve service delivery efficiency and reduce the time required to resolve power outages.
TANESCO officially launched the drone initiative on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at its office in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam.
Speaking during the launch, Managing Director Mr. Lazaro Twange said the company manages the largest electricity infrastructure network in the country and therefore requires close monitoring using modern technologies.
“We have electricity transmission lines covering about 8,500 kilometers, and distribution networks extending nearly 200,000 kilometers. These networks run through forests, along roadsides, and across various terrains,” Mr. Twange said.
He explained that the organization’s primary responsibility is to ensure reduced response times when electricity challenges arise and to restore service promptly.
“Our job in customer service is to ensure that customers have reliable electricity supply. Today, we are embarking on a technological revolution to make our work more efficient,” he emphasized.
According to Mr. Twange, existing system faults have made it difficult to quickly identify the exact locations of problems, a challenge the new drone technology is expected to address.
The Governor of Imo State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit on 11 March 2026 to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to congratulate the Chairman on his appointment and to explore opportunities for strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the electricity market within the state.
The visit underscored a shared commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership that will drive sustainable power sector development in Imo State.
In his remarks, the Governor sought the support of the Commission in ensuring the effective functioning of the state’s electricity market. He also appealed for the Chairman’s intervention in strengthening efforts to achieve a more stable and reliable power supply, a critical enabler of economic growth and development in the state.
In response, the Chairman commended the Governor for his proactive interest and demonstrated commitment to improving electricity supply in Imo State. He acknowledged that the provision of subnational electricity services is a fundamental responsibility of government and praised the Governor for taking decisive steps in that regard.
While reiterating the Commission’s support for government-led initiatives, the Chairman emphasized its role as an independent regulator, noting that its responsibility is to ensure fairness, transparency, and regulatory compliance across the sector.
He further urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to established regulatory processes, particularly with respect to obtaining the necessary licenses and approvals for any grid-connected power projects.
The Chairman also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Imo State within the bounds of its regulatory mandate.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including regulators, industry players, academia, consumer advocacy groups, and the media, to deliberate on issues affecting consumer welfare.
Delivering the welcome address, the Deputy Chief Executive of the NPA, Dr. Sheila Addo, emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening consumer protection and promoting transparency within the sector.
In his keynote remarks, Mr. Tameklo highlighted the critical role of the downstream petroleum sector in Ghana’s socio-economic development. He outlined measures undertaken by the Authority to safeguard product quality, including the work of its Inspection and Monitoring and Quality Assurance Directorates.
He also noted recent reforms, such as the elevation of the Consumer Services Department into a full Directorate, supported by a modern call centre to improve responsiveness to consumer concerns.
He further acknowledged ongoing industry challenges, including concerns surrounding the fuel price floor policy and the impact of global geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on petroleum prices.
The event featured presentations by relevant Directors of the Authority, followed by moderated panel discussions on “Safeguarding the Quality and Integrity of Petroleum Products Across Ghana’s Downstream Sector” and “Transparency in Fuel Pricing: Is the Consumer Protected?”
Stakeholders used the platform to share insights and propose practical solutions to enhance consumer confidence.
The NPA reiterated its commitment to working closely with partners, including CUTS International, to promote transparency, accountability, and continuous reform in the downstream petroleum sector. 
“Our job in customer service is to ensure that customers have reliable electricity supply. Today, we are embarking on a technological revolution to make our work more efficient,” he emphasized.
According to Mr. Twange, existing system faults have made it difficult to quickly identify the exact locations of problems, a challenge the new drone technology is expected to address. 