National Premix Fuel Committee Holds Maiden Engagement With OMCs

The newly inaugurated National Premix Fuel Committee(NPFC) has as part of its sustained engagement with stakeholders met and interacted with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

The meeting held at the Conference room of the Fisheries Commission afforded the new committee an opportunity to share its vision of an improved Premix Fuel Subsector to the OMCs.

In his opening remarks, the new Chairman of the National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFC), Mr Dennis Percyval Quaicoe expressed his commitment to bringing government’s expectation of an efficiently managed Premix Fuel Subsector to pass.

“I and the committee are committed to giving our best towards the mandate assigned us by the government. Your role as OMCs is crucial to the efficient running of the Premix Fuel distribution chain and so I implore you to work with us to ensure that we achieve holistic success. The canker of diversion is one that we won’t condone under any guise. Its common knowledge that it has been reduced to the barest minimum since 2017 but we are poised to work even harder to ensure that it never becomes an issue again. Let me encourage you all to adhere to all the tenets guiding your operations to ensure that we collectively improve government’s business.” He said.

For his part, the Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Committee (NPFS) Nana Abrokwa A. Asare pledged the support of the (NPFS) for the OMCs, stating that any challenge encountered in their line of work should be reported for a swift resolution.

“We have taken note of some of the concerns raised by you and we want to assure you that we are here for you. You may call or visit the head office at any time for your concerns to be addressed.

As a public agency we are committed to our values of transparency and accessibility so do not hesitate to engage us anytime there is a need to do so.” He concluded.

The National Premix Fuel Secretariat under the leadership of the Committee has embarked on a rigorous drive to stamp out ills like hoarding and smuggling of Premix Fuel.  

In continuation of efforts to avert these identified issues, Cabinet approval has been secured for the rollout of an Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing System to help consolidate the efficient distribution and management of Premix Fuel achieved in the last four years. 

The provision of an Automated Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System for the sale of Premix Fuel is expected to complement existing government strategies being implemented to address the challenges associated with the allocation, distribution and sale of Premix Fuel in Ghana including the Canoe Identification System (CIS). 

The Automated Fuel Dispensing System would consist of dispensing control units, Fuel level sensors for monitoring of Fuel levels, card utilization system for authorisation and access, web and mobile applications for monitoring, control and generating of reports.  

Having successfully launched the Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing Pilot Unit at Nungua in December 2019, it is the plan of the NPFC to see a nationwide rollout soon.

Already, the system has shown significant promise by curbing to a great extent, the malignant issue of Premix Fuel hoarding. 

Some benefits of the system as realized from the pilot phase include: Easy Payment, effective tracking and Transparency and Payment flexibility; effectively solving perennial challenges like Prolonged waiting time, Low customer satisfaction, Rush hour challenges, Lack of trust and transparency and general transaction tracking hassles.

Source:Samuel Owusu –Aduomi/ johnawuniktv@gmail.com