There is an uneasy calm among some downstream petroleum industry players across the country over the alleged embezzlement of 1.3 billion Cedis meant for them.
Sources within Oil Marketing Companies, LPG Marketing Companies, tanker drivers, and tanker owners alleged that the money which was an accumulated monthly deduction of 83 million Cedis for about 16 months from June 2023 to October 2024 has been embezzled.
Accusing fingers are being directed at the Coordinator of Unified Petroleum Price Fund, (UPPF), Mr. Jacob Amuah in connivance with some executive members of the Tanker Owners Association.
The industry players are therefore demanding accountability and calling for a forensic investigation into the UPPF and the interdiction of the Coordinator.
It has been alleged that the said money has been lodged in an account at Access Bank, unknown to the rest of the players.
Some members of the industry are questioning what the money has been used for and who the beneficiaries are.
They are, therefore, demanding that the Chairman of the Tanker Owners renders an account to the industry players on the use of the 1.3 billion cedis.
Our sources alleged that the Chairman of the Tanker Owners Association has also asked the UPPF Coordinator to account for the members’ monies that have been given to him.
The Coordinator in his defence, allegedly indicated that the money had been shared among past top political heads of the National Petroleum Authority, (NPA) and that it was for their “thank you for work done “gift.
What is intriguing is that the UPPF Coordinator was lobbying to be named Chief Executive of
the Authority when he failed to properly account for his stewardship as the UPPF Coordinator.
The aggrieved players have threatened to petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor, (OSP), Operation Recover All Loot, (ORAL) and the newly appointed CEO of the NPA and the yet-to-be-reconstituted Board of Directors to investigate the alleged malfeasance and corruption at the UPPF office.
Source: Business Analyst