By Fatou Dahaba
The much-anticipated Preliminary Report of the National Assembly Joint Committee of Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and Public Enterprise Committee (PEC) on the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Petroleum Product scandal has been postponed.
In a surprising turn of events on Monday morning, the National Assembly moved a motion to table the report during its second ordinary session in June 2025, citing the committee’s need for additional time to complete its work.
The investigation, launched in August last year, centers on the alleged illegal sale of 30,953.614 metric tons of petroleum products valued at $30 million. The probe targets Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics, companies accused of bribery and tax evasion in connection with the transaction. The petroleum, reportedly transported from Russia on a vessel anchored in Gambian waters for over three months, was originally destined for Ghana. However, Ghanaian authorities rejected the shipment due to its failure to comply with the country’s importation policies.
The decision to delay the report’s presentation came after the joint committee requested an extension from the Assembly.
In a statement to the Speaker, the committee emphasized the need to engage with outstanding witnesses and finalize a thorough report. “We have done a great job; all we need is more time to complete it,” said committee member Kebba Lang Fofana, who apologized for a miscommunication that led to public confusion. Fofana clarified that no validated report currently exists, only a motion for an extension, urging the Assembly to exercise caution in its public statements.
Had the report been tabled on Monday, the session was expected to spark heated debates among lawmakers. Key issues include the legality of the petroleum trade—potentially involving discounted Russian oil—and whether stronger financial oversight is required to prevent similar incidents.
The delay pushes the next development in this high-profile scandal to June 2025, leaving the nation awaiting answers in a case that has gripped public attention.
