COMAC Warns of Fuel Supply Crisis, Urges Indefinite Suspension of Customs Act Section 136

The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has formally called for the indefinite suspension of Section 136 of the Customs Act, 2026, warning that its implementation could trigger a national fuel supply crisis. The organization asserts that the provision, which transfers tax accounting responsibilities from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to Bulk Import, Distribution, and Export Companies (BIDECs), poses a significant risk to the stability of the downstream petroleum industry and the broader Ghanaian economy. According to COMAC, the shift threatens to create a "fuel supply shock" if enforced in its current form.

Central to COMAC's opposition is the argument that the transition will delay, rather than expedite, tax revenue collection. The Chamber contends that BIDECs typically require longer durations to settle their tax obligations compared to OMCs. Dr. Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive of COMAC, has highlighted that concentrating taxation at the BIDEC level increases systemic risk. Because BIDECs manage significantly larger volumes of petroleum products, any financial or administrative bottleneck at this stage could lead to widespread shortages at the pumps. Furthermore, COMAC argues that Section 136 fails to address underlying flaws in the revenue collection system, merely shifting existing challenges to a different segment of the supply chain.

The industry group has also criticized the government for a lack of adequate stakeholder consultation prior to the enactment of the legislation. COMAC representatives stated that many of the current concerns could have been resolved through proper engagement with industry players. While the Chamber expresses support for other sections of the Customs Act and remains committed to improving tax compliance among OMCs, it maintains that the rationale behind Section 136 is fundamentally flawed. The organization has already reached out to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to seek clarification on perceived inequities and is urging Parliament to consider legislative amendments.

If the provision is enforced without modification, COMAC warns of the potential for accumulating significant tax arrears for the state and a destabilized energy market. The Chamber is advocating for a collaborative approach where the government and industry stakeholders work together to refine tax collection processes without compromising energy security. As the industry awaits a formal response from legislative and revenue authorities, the priority remains avoiding a disruption in fuel availability that could impact all sectors of the economy.