Rush for fuel from accident tankers is stealing, punishable by law – NPA boss, Edudzi Tamakloe

National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Edudzi Tamakloe has warned that rushing to collect fuel from accident tankers is considered theft and is punishable by law. Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, October 15, Tamakloe emphasized that this practice should not be perceived as an innocent rush but as the act of stealing petroleum products.

"What you describe as a rush for fuel is stealing," he stated, noting that such actions are illegal offenses in the country. Under the law, a person who diverts petroleum products faces a fine ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 penalty units or imprisonment for two to five years, or both.

In response to the concerns over this issue, the NPA has initiated a public education campaign called "Stay Back, Stay Safe" to discourage individuals from attempting to siphon fuel from accident tankers. Tamakloe cautioned that the consequences of such actions could be severe, especially in areas with highly flammable petroleum products where gathering crowds could pose a significant risk.

He made these remarks after highlighting the need for systems that can alert emergency services when fuel tankers are involved in accidents, allowing the police, fire service, and ambulance teams to respond swiftly and prevent people from congregating at the scene to collect fuel.

Tamakloe explained that the sensors installed on the vehicles are designed to activate when the tanker starts moving and deactivate once it comes to a halt. This system enables the authority to monitor the freight payable and track the movement of the vehicles.