The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has taken decisive action in the Bono Region by locking several pumps at three prominent filling stations in Sunyani.
During a surprise inspection, officials discovered that Frimps Oil (Penkwase), Goil (near Eusbett Hotel), and Engen were dispensing fuel in quantities lower than what consumers were paying for. The most severe case was at Frimps Oil, where all seven active dispensing units were found to be under-delivering.
The inspection team, led by Bono Regional Manager Kwadwo Odarno Appiah and Consumer Services Manager Eunice Budu Nyarko, also noted a peculiar inconsistency where a few nozzles actually dispensed more fuel than the purchase price.
However, the primary focus remained on the “under-delivery” nozzles, which directly disadvantage the consumer. Beyond the calibration issues, the NPA issued a stern warning against the common but prohibited practices of using ramps or shaking vehicles during refueling, noting that these methods do not increase the volume of fuel received and can pose safety risks.
The defaulting stations face immediate sanctions and are required to submit detailed investigation reports to the NPA explaining the cause of the nozzle inaccuracies. This enforcement exercise followed a sensitization campaign at the Nana Bosoma market, where the Authority educated commercial drivers and traders on their rights at the pump.
The NPA has reiterated its commitment to nationwide monitoring to ensure that the “value for money” principle is upheld across all petroleum outlets.
As of late 2025, the NPA has significantly modernized its surveillance by introducing a Digital Fuel Monitoring System. This technology allows the Authority to monitor pump calibrations in real-time from a central command center, reducing the reliance on physical surprise visits alone.
Furthermore, the 2025 regulatory guidelines now include automatic daily fines for any station found with uncalibrated pumps, part of a broader “Consumer First” initiative aimed at eliminating fuel theft at the point of sale.