The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced the grant of an interim waiver to local refineries licensed by the Authority to produce and supply diesel and petrol containing sulphur levels not exceeding 1,500 mg/kg (ppm) to the public.
The interim waiver, which took effect yesterday, per the ECOWAS directive on Harmonised Specification for Automotive Fuels, is expected to end on December 31, 2024.
The NPA in a statement explained that the implementation of the interim wavier is to ensure that local refineries remain operational, whilst they introduce measures to meet the sulphur requirements stipulated in the ECOWAS Harmonized Specifications for Automotive Fuels.
It noted, however, that diesel and petrol imported into Ghana would continue to comply with the sulphur requirements stipulated at maximum 50 mg/kg (ppm).
“Without prejudice to the interim waiver granted in sub paragraph 1 above, Diesel and Petrol imported into the country shall continue to comply with the sulphur requirements stipulated at maximum 50 mg/kg (ppm) as contained in the Ecowas Harmonized Specifications for Automotive Fuels,” it said.
“Where fuel from a retail outlet exceeds the sulphur content of 50 mg/kg (ppm) the Dealer and Oil Marketing Company (OMC) shall produce documentation evincing the consignment was procured from a local refinery,” it added.
The Authority cautioned: “Failure to produce the required documentation may result in the application of pecuniary penalties in an amount of GH₵30,000.00 on the OMC and/or Dealer.”
Directive to local refineries
NPA noted that in view of the introduction of this interim waiver, diesel and petrol produced by local refineries shall be allowed for sale and purchase at retail outlets, and may be comingled with imported products for sale to the public.
“The permissible sulphur levels of diesel and petrol to be sold to the general public, whether comingled or not, shall at all times not exceed 1,500 mg/kg (ppm) within the interim waiver period,” it indicated.
The Authority explained that the application of the interim waiver to local refineries shall not result in any price differentials in the sale and purchase of diesel and regular tetrol at the retail outlets with respect to their permissible sulphur content.
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