Private bunkering operators cry foul

Seventeen private-owned bunkering services operators in the country have registered their disappointment over what they allege to be deliberate tactics being employed by the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) -- the largest stakeholder in bunkering services -- to keep them out of business.

An industry player, who spoke to B&FT on condition of anonymity, said anti-competition tactics by Ghana Bunkering Services, majority-owned by GOIL, are taking a toll on the operations of private bunkering services providers through loss of revenue and clientele.

“When we receive orders from the fishing vessels to make fuel supplies, we need authorisation from two bodies: the National Fishermen Association of Ghana and the Ghana Bunkering Services. The problem here is that the latter, which is owned by GOIL and TOTAL with 51 percent and 49 percent shares respectively, delays in signing the order even when the former has already signed. As a result of this, the frustrated clients are forced to cancel the order to source supplies offshore.

“The end result is that these fishing vessels will eventually end up receiving supplies from GOIL when their search for fuel from alternative sources proves futile,” the source said.

There are currently 18 companies that have been licenced by the National Petroleum Authority to carry out bunkering services. Seventeen of these companies are owned by private individuals -- with GOIL as a government-owned player.

According to regulations, the 17 private bunkering services operators are mandated to source supplies from the Bulk Distribution Company.

However, the source said the situation where they are refused access to fuel is worrisome because they pay taxes and other duties associated with their operations, aside from paying about GH¢4,000 to keep their licence working.

The source called on government to intervene in the situation to ensure that they are not kept out of business.