Gold-for-oil policy not responsible for manganese-laden fuel – BOST insists

The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) has debunked claims of importing manganese-laden fuel under the government’s Gold-for-Oil Policy.

Recent reports have suggested that the importation of manganese-laden gasoline into the market under the Gold-for-Oil policy is to blame for the development that has resulted in severe damage to the vehicles of consumers.

“We wish to state unequivocally that we have not imported any product under the policy which is off the specifications per the regulations of the National Petroleum Authority and the product specifications of the Ghana Standard Authority,” BOST said in a statement issued on Monday, November 27.

“We, therefore, implore the public to disregard the claims of our detractors regarding the importation of manganese-laden fuel.”

BOST indicated that it has so far imported 23 cargoes under the policy, and none has failed the quality test the Ghana Standard Authority carried out.

BOST called on the public to allow the regulatory authority the space to investigate the exact source of the said product.

“Grant the regulatory authority of the petroleum downstream the time and space to investigate the exact source of the said product and also to tighten the regime to clamp out the room for the importation of potentially problematic products onto the market,” the release added.

BOST further assured the public that products would be imported from safe sources without compromising quality standards.

“We shall continue to import products from safe sources without compromising on quality standards and leverage the volumes to serve the market at reasonable prices to beat the cost of living in the country.”