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

The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has formally requested the indefinite suspension of Section 136 of the Customs Act, 2026, warning that the provision could trigger a national fuel supply crisis and destabilize the downstream petroleum industry. The controversial section mandates a transfer of tax accounting responsibilities from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to Bulk Import, Distribution, and Export Companies (BIDECs). According to COMAC, this shift is fundamentally flawed and risks creating significant disruptions in the fuel supply chain while potentially harming the broader economy.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Dr. Riverson Oppong, the Chamber argues that the rationale for shifting tax obligations to BIDECs is unconvincing. COMAC asserts that rather than streamlining revenue collection, the new law may actually delay it, as BIDECs typically require more time than OMCs to settle tax obligations. Furthermore, the Chamber contends that concentrating tax liabilities at the BIDEC level increases systemic risk. Because BIDECs manage significantly larger volumes of fuel than individual OMCs, any financial or administrative bottleneck at this stage could result in an immediate and widespread fuel shortage across the country.

A central grievance expressed by the Chamber is the perceived lack of adequate consultation with industry stakeholders before the legislation was enacted. COMAC has highlighted that while it supports other sections of the Customs Act and remains committed to improving tax compliance among its members, Section 136 was introduced without addressing underlying flaws in the revenue collection system. The organization has reached out to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to seek clarification on perceived inequities among OMCs and to advocate for a more collaborative approach to legislative changes that affect the energy sector.

The potential consequences of enforcing Section 136 in its current form include not only a national "supply shock" but also the accumulation of substantial tax arrears for the GRA. COMAC is urging Parliament and relevant authorities to consider amendments that provide greater clarity and fairness to all players in the petroleum value chain. By advocating for the suspension of this provision, the Chamber seeks to prevent a destabilization of the petroleum sector and ensure that tax reforms enhance, rather than jeopardize, the country’s energy security and economic stability.