The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) has pledged its support for the newly appointed Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Alhassan S. Tampuli, to ensure a successful tenure.
The Association underscored the need for more consultative meetings with the various committees working under the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the oil marketing companies.
“There should be collaboration between the Association and the NPA to educate the public on siting of fuel stations/outlets as well as the general education on safety,” it said.
Members of the AOMCs said these when officials of the NPA paid a visit to the Association to officially introduce the new CEO, Mr Tampuli, and also to confer with the AOMCs and its leadership on the challenges in the industry.
It was attended by Jacob Amuah, the Technical Director and other directors.
The AOMCs were represented by the Chairman of the Board of Governors and Managing Director of Strategic Energies Limited Mr Johnny Blagogee, Michael Bozumbil, CEO of PETROSOL and Vice Chairman and Kwaku Agyemang Duah, the Industry Co-ordinator/CEO of the AOMCs.
The Association said a number of challenges that confront their operation, including branding of dealers of the OMCs/LPGMs by some state agencies as criminals instead of partners and delay in the processing of permits and license applications.
The Association has meanwhile called for urgent and concerted action to be taken to halt illegal sale of export products on the local market which denies government huge tax revenue and adversely affects the businesses of members of the Association who are into legitimate business.
It has also asked for a review of the deregulation policy to allow marketers to be able to vary their ex-pump prices within each oil marketing companies and manage their freight.
The Association further indicated the need for the implementation of the new products specifications to ensure enhanced fuel quality for its consumers.
It thus requested that the NPA makes available a standard fuel quality test tool to be used by its dealers to ascertain product quality before they take delivery of it.
Mr Tampuli assured the AOMCs that the NPA will give all the necessary support to members with regards to safety.
He added that proper decision making has a strong correlation with the availability of meaningful information and called on members to support the regulator by providing timely and useful information.
Mr Tampuli reiterated the need to name and shame companies involved in bad practices and indicated that the Authority was ready to do so in order to sanitize the industry.
Other issues discussed included automating the operations of the regulator with respect to permits and licenses, the need for continuous public education and increasing the standards in the industry.
Mr Tampuli applauded the AOMCs for the continuous industry education on safety and other issues it has been handling, and emphasized that all the concerns tabled by the AOMCs would be given the needed attention.
By Michael Addo|TV3|3news.com|Ghana