By Arret Jatta
In continuation of the $30 million petroleum saga, the National Assembly joint committee of Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), and Public Enterprise Committee (PEC), consulted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum over the issue for questioning.
Three companies Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics are being investigated for allegedly importing and selling
36,935.614 metric tons of petroleum products in the country valued at $30 million without paying tax.
On Monday, 26th August 2024 PS Lamin Camara appeared before the joint committee to answer questions posed by National Assembly members of the joint committee.
When asked by Hon. Member for Upper Saloum AlhagieMbowe, if his Ministry issued any license to Apogee FZC, Creed Energy, and Ultimate Beige In 2023 or 2024, he responded “No, I’m not aware of that but I do know that a license was issued to Gam Petroleum.”
Hon. Mbowe also told Mr Camara that there was a letter from the Ministry of Petroleum that fined Creed Energy for selling petroleum products without a license.
Mr. Camara responded to his statement saying if Creed Energy is not licensed and has been selling, then the regulatory body should do what is expected of them and take remedial actions against them.
“The Ministry was not directly involved in the operational transaction but based on the information that has come to my attention, there is an issue in the whole dealing of creed energy. I don’t know what reason they had to operate like that, but maybe if we hear from them, they will be able to explain. But, I’m surprised that an entity can come into a country and trade such an amount of product without the required license,” PS Camaraargued.
