Commissioner General-Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Anthony Kwasi Sarpong last week Friday announced the interception of ten trucks loaded with about 540,000 litres of diesel being diverted for export.
The Commissioner General said GRA in collaboration with National Security followed the trucks to port as they were suspected of being export goods. However, upon arrival at Port Tema it was discovered that no vessel had been designated to receive the product.
Investigations later revealed that the culprits disengaged tracking devices on the tankers and diverted them under the cover of darkness. Instead of completing the correct process, the trucks exited the port area at about 3am but were later traced to the Kpone enclave.
Swift action by the Customs Preventive Wing and National Security operatives led to the tankers interception at Kpone. The vehicles have since been impounded and investigations are ongoing.
It is important to note that the country stood to lose approximately GH₵2.3million in taxes and levies from this single illegal act had the operation been successful. This vice has been a recurring practice in the past – causing significant revenue losses to the state.
Indeed, GRA and National Security have carried out several arrests over the past few months relating to oil marketing companies which engaged in diverting petroleum products with the intention of tax evasion and circumventing due process.
Consequently, the Authority has commissioned a forensic audit into operations of OMCs that have been identified and individuals found culpable of tax evasion, smuggling and divering petroleum products will face sanctions.
“We are intensifying monitoring, enforcement and intelligence coordination with National Security, NPA and other key agencies to ensure full compliance with the law,” Mr. Sarpong stated. He urged all licenced petroleum operators, depot managers and transporters to comply strictly with established export and tax procedures.
“Any entity or individual found to be complicit in these revenue-damaging schemes will face the full force of the law.”
