The National Assembly has postponed the much-anticipated preliminary report from the Joint Committee on Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and the Public Enterprise Committee (PEC) on the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the petroleum product scandal.
A motion was passed on Monday to defer the reportโs presentation to the Assemblyโs second ordinary session in June 2025, with committee members citing the need for additional time to complete their investigation.
The inquiry, launched in August 2024, is examining the alleged illegal sale of 30,953.614 metric tons of petroleum products valued at $30 million. The transaction involves Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics, companies accused of bribery and tax evasion. The petroleum, reportedly shipped from Russia and anchored in Gambian waters for over three months, was initially intended for Ghana. However, Ghanaian authorities rejected the consignment due to non-compliance with their import regulations.
The decision to delay the report followed a request from the joint committee, which stated that further engagement with key witnesses was necessary. Addressing the Assembly, committee member Kebba Lang Fofana acknowledged public concerns over the delay and clarified that no final report had been submitted. He urged caution in public statements, emphasizing that only a request for an extension had been made.
Had the report been presented as scheduled, lawmakers were expected to debate key issues, including the legality of the transaction particularly concerning the origin and pricing of the petroleum and whether regulatory oversight needs strengthening to prevent similar incidents.
