COMAC calls for suspension of Section 136 over fuel price and supply risks
COMAC says the change does not address what it considers the core problem—weak enforcement of existing controls
Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) is urging an immediate suspension of Section 136 of the Customs Act, 2026, to address fuel price hikes, supply disruptions and potential revenue loss due to the new petroleum tax arrangement. Section 136 shifts downstream petroleum tax payments from Oil and LPG Marketing Companies to Bulk Import, Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs), necessitating them to account for tax at the point of sale.
COMAC's CEO and Industry Coordinator, Dr. Riverson Oppong, argues that the issue lies with enforcement, not the tax collection point. He stresses that until existing controls and system overrides are effectively enforced, changing the tax collection point won't solve the core problem. COMAC also warns that BIDECs may face longer payment periods and added financing costs, which could be passed to consumers.
The Chamber insists on transparency and evidence before replacing the current framework, requesting the existing system be retained until government strengthens enforcement, addresses system overrides and provides an accounting of unaccounted petroleum products. Dr. Oppong's FY2025 analysis found about 819.25 million liters of unaccounted petroleum products, potentially costing the government GH¢2.5 billion.
COMAC has given the Ministry of Finance 14 days to suspend Section 136, otherwise, it will convene an emergency meeting to decide its next steps.
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