NPA Reveals Surge in Illicit Fuel Storage & Sales; Moves to Shut Down Illegal Operators

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has raised the alarm over the growing menace of illicit storage and marketing of petroleum products across the country, threatening the safety of people and properties.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the NPA revealed that some individuals and businesses are flouting the law by engaging in the petroleum downstream industry without the requisite licenses.

The NPA described such activities, which range from secret storage facilities to unapproved retail and bulk distribution points, as a threat to public safety, market stability, and the integrity of Ghana’s fuel supply chain.

According to the NPA, under Section 11 of the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691) as amended, no person is permitted to import, export, store, transport, process, refine, distribute, market, or sell petroleum products without an NPA Board-approved license.

The law further demands that licenses be conspicuously displayed at business premises to assure customers and regulators of compliance.

Given the illegality of these operators and the threat they pose, the NPA says it will not hesitate to lock up or decommission all illegal outlets.

The NPA’s clampdown is not just about enforcing paperwork. It is also about protecting lives and the economy. Illegally stored fuel often bypasses safety protocols, increasing the risk of explosions and environmental damage.

Moreover, such operators evade taxes and regulatory fees, undercutting legitimate businesses and depriving the state of critical revenue.

Part of the statement announced that, “It has come to the attention of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) that some persons are engaged in illicit storage and marketing of petroleum products. These persons are by this public notice cautioned to comply with the regulatory requirements necessary to operate in the Petroleum Downstream Industry.”

“The NPA is cautioning all persons that failure to acquire the requisite license as required by the NPA Act will result in the locking up and or decommissioning of all illegal outlets,” the statement warned.

With the move, the NPA is promising a nationwide clampdown to identify and shut down offenders.

Industry players are being urged to regularise their operations immediately as stipulated by law, or risk losing not only their investment but also their freedom, as legal action could follow.

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