The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid says there has been a significant drop in the failure rate of Ghana's fuel retail outlets when it comes to quality tests.

This drop, he said is from 32% in 2013 to 2.51% as of August 2021.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid who was speaking at the consumers week celebration held in Ho noted that the reason for the fall is the exportation and production of fuels by petroleum service providers and the revision of operating procedures when it comes to importation.

The Chief Executive said the introduction of the Petroleum Product Marketing Scheme and the Bulk Road Vehicles Tracking System have greatly helped in ensuring that products meet the needed specifications and are devoid of adulteration.

According to Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, with the measures put in place by the National Petroleum Authority, the retail outlets' failure rate has drastically reduced; adding that efforts are being made to bring the percentage down to zero.

"We are poised to wipe out these 2.51% culprits still cheating petroleum consumers. This is why we are here today, to tell consumers to report to the NPA anytime there is suspicion of the purchase of contaminated fuel. There are laws that provide punitive sanctions such as fines, imprisonment, or both for the perpetrators of these fuel quality crimes," he stressed.

Again, Dr. Abdul-Hamid noted that his outfit has put in place an improved consumer complaint and resolution procedure to ensure that complaints are effectively investigated. 

According to him, adulterated fuel increases harmful compound emissions which affect the environment and consumers' health and called for support for the NPA to maintain safety standards.

On his part, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, urged consumers to help in the fight against fuel contamination in order to serve them better; adding that they can make use of the complaints platform by sharing challenges and issues relating to fuel contamination. 

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa commended NPA for its role in ensuring education on petroleum products usage.

The consumer week celebration which was climaxed  by a durbar was on  the theme, 'Adulterated Fuels; a Menace to the Consumer and the Economy'.

The objective of the celebration in Ho was to educate consumers and the general public on issues relating to petroleum especially contaminated fuel and the negative effects on the nation's economy