Fuel Smuggling: Navy, NPA impound 2 vessels

Two unregistered oil vessels have been impounded for engaging in illegal oil trade in Ghanaian territorial waters.

The Ghana Navy in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) impounded the two unregistered vessels on Saturday.

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

Addressing a press conference in Tema on Saturday, the Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Headquarters, Commodore Issah Yakubu, said investigations are yet to be concluded 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 National Petroleum Authority (NPA), 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.