The NDC branch of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirim. constituency in Central Region has denied any links with the suspects alleged to have siphoned crude oil from oil rigs in Saltpond. Constituency Chairman, Michael Asmah told Joy News the suspects may have sympathies for the party but are not registered members of the NDC. The eight persons were picked up Sunday with the liquid stored in tanks after a tip-off and are currently assisting with police investigations. The suspects have denied that the liquid substance is crude oil, insisting, it is dirty oil taken from a vessel. Joy News’ Central Regional Correspondent, Richard Kojo Nyarko who is following the beat could not confirm the political affiliation of the suspects but said the canoes used for the operation are believed to be owned by staunch members of the NDC. He said the tip-off came from persons said to be from the NPP. But in a reaction, Michael Asmah said the corporate integrity of NDC should not be associated with the incident. “They (suspects) are not registered members of the party. NDC is a broad-based party; any body can be a member of NDC but those people are not registered members. “I don’t know why people should use the name NDC in that business. There is no way NDC can do such a thing,” he protested. Police in Cape Coast are investigating the circumstances under which the suspected crude oil was siphoned. Corporal Raymond Asaba Director of Communications for the police in the Central Region confirmed the arrest but said his outfit is yet to determine whether or not the substance is crude oil. He told Joy News the substance has something to do with crude but are still cross checking with the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Standards Board for confirmation. He said his outfit is yet to verify how the suspects got the substance and where they were taking it. Meanwhile,the Saltpond Offshore Producing Company Limited has denied any crude oil theft in its operational area. CEO, Quincy Simtim Aboagye said they have conducted a test from a sample retrieved from the suspects and they can testify that the substance is sludge or engine oil. Mr. Aboagye said it is virtually impossible for crude oil to be siphoned from his company. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana