Rush for Fuel from Accident Tankers Is Theft, Punishable by Law – NPA Boss Edudzi Tamakloe

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tamakloe, has warned that collecting fuel from tankers involved in road accidents constitutes stealing and is punishable by law.

Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Mr Tamakloe cautioned the public against rushing to accident scenes to collect or siphon petroleum products, stressing that the practice is a criminal offence rather than an innocent attempt to take advantage of an accident.

“What you describe as a rush for fuel is stealing, for want of a better word, and you know in this country stealing is an offence,” he said.

Mr Tamakloe further cited the legal consequences for individuals who unlawfully divert petroleum products, explaining that offenders could face substantial fines, imprisonment, or both.

According to him, anyone found guilty of diverting petroleum products is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 2,500 penalty units and not more than 5,000 penalty units, or imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than five years, or both.

NPA Intensifies Public Education Campaign

To address the practice and protect lives, the NPA has introduced a public education campaign dubbed “Stay Back, Stay Safe”, aimed at discouraging people from approaching fuel tankers involved in accidents.

Mr Tamakloe warned that rushing to collect fuel from accident tankers could have devastating consequences, given the highly flammable nature of petroleum products.

He emphasised the need for the public to maintain a safe distance from accident scenes involving fuel tankers and allow emergency responders to manage the situation.

His remarks followed concerns about establishing effective systems to alert emergency services whenever fuel tankers are involved in accidents. Such alerts would enable the Police, Ghana National Fire Service and ambulance teams to respond promptly and prevent people from gathering at accident scenes to collect fuel.

NPA Explains How Tanker Sensors Work

Addressing questions about the monitoring systems installed in fuel tankers, Mr Tamakloe explained that the sensors fitted to the vehicles are activated when a tanker begins moving and stop operating when it comes to a halt.

He said the technology enables the Authority to monitor the movement of the vehicles and measure the freight payable.

The explanation formed part of discussions on the monitoring of petroleum transportation and the systems used by the NPA to track tanker movements.

The NPA’s warning underscores the need for public cooperation in preventing fuel-related accidents from turning into further disasters, while reminding individuals that unlawfully collecting petroleum products can attract serious legal consequences.