The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) has accused the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) of violating a directive from the President concerning the berthing and discharge of petroleum products at the Tema Port.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the CBOD expressed deep concern over what it described as the persistent disruption of the Laycan import schedule—a framework developed through multi-stakeholder consultations to ensure the orderly importation of petroleum products into the country.

According to the Chamber, the NPA’s authorisation on Monday, 23rd June 2025, for the berthing and discharging of the vessel MT Marlin Ametrine directly contravened both the official Laycan schedule and a directive from the President issued via the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.

“In a formal petition to the Presidency dated 12th June 2025, CBOD highlighted the damaging impact of these disruptions on price stability and operational efficiency,” the statement noted. “The President subsequently instructed the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to act immediately. However, the NPA has ignored this directive.”

The Laycan schedule, the CBOD said, is central to maintaining regulatory order and fuel security in Ghana. Yet, the schedule was revised more than four times in the first quarter of 2025 and seven times in the second quarter—often unilaterally and without industry consultation.

“These arbitrary changes affect up to ten cargoes per revision, causing cumulative delays of approximately thirty days each time,” CBOD disclosed, adding that between January and June 2025 alone, Bulk Import, Distribution, and Export Companies (BIDECs) incurred over $40 million in demurrage and related costs—expenses ultimately passed on to consumers through higher pump prices.

The Chamber warned that the NPA’s most recent actions threaten to delegitimise the scheduling framework and pose a risk to Ghana’s energy security.

“This is a serious affront to regulatory integrity and undermines the progress made in the industry in recent years. Allowing this vessel to berth outside the agreed schedule sets a dangerous precedent,” it stressed.

CBOD further claimed that investigations suggest the operation was facilitated by a group of Nigerian traders—recently displaced by the Dangote Oil Refinery—allegedly working through politically connected intermediaries in Ghana.

It described the move as a “flagrant attempt to circumvent established protocols for narrow selfish interests,” and called on the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to take urgent steps to restore discipline and transparency to the sector.