The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate interdiction of the Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST)Company, Alfred Obeng Boateng, over the sale of 5 million litres of contaminated fuel.
This call comes barely 24-hours after ACEP also called on the CEO of BOST to step aside for investigations into the matter, following Citi Business News’ exclusive revelation of the development.
According to the Minority, the transaction between BOST and an unlicensed company, Movenpiina, is fraught with irregularities and possible corruption to the tune of 14.25 million cedis.
Addressing the press, Minority Spokesperson on Mines and Energy, Armah Kofi Buah, argued that “the justification by BOST that the contaminated products were sold for use by manufacturing companies is untenable.”
“The norm and practice is that, when such contamination occur, corrective treatment of these products are undertaken by the Tema Oil Refinery through blending. Why did BOST not arrange with TOR for the treatment of this particular fuel? Available information indicates that BOST failed to exhaust all means to ensure TOR blends this contaminated fuel.”
“The argument by BOST that the blending couldn’t be done at TOR because the CDU is down is most untenable,” Mr. Buah added.
Mr. Buah, on behalf of the Minority therefore demanded a full scale investigation into the sale of the contaminated oil.
The Minority also made the following requests:
• Full scale investigation by the regulatory authorities
• The immediate withdrawal of the contaminated product from the market to protect consumers and assurances that this will not recur.
• That the financial loss estimated at GHS 14.25 million be retrieved by surcharging the offending officials at BOST in line with the recent Supreme Court decision.
We didn’t err in dealings with Movenpiina, ZUPOIL – BOST
The Minority’s demands come hours after the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), refuted claims it failed to carry out due diligence in its award of contracts to Movenpiina and ZUPOIL with regards to the sale 5 million litres of contaminated fuel.
BOST in response to ACEP’s claim indicated in a statement that its technical team inspected the facility of ZUPOIL “and was satisfied.”
“BOST deploys the use of bulk road vehicles that have tracking devices installed and have dully met the requirements of NPA to haul products. Thus, rendering BOST extremely responsible. Anyone with information on the illegal sale of the product at the pumps should report to the appropriate authority for immediate action.”
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By: Marian Ansah & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
