Star Oil Ghana has firmly rejected calls from Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. for an apology following allegations that recent fuel supply interruptions were caused by technical problems with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
In a Facebook post on Monday, March 9, Star Oil Chief Executive Officer Kwame Tieku stated that there is no basis for issuing such an apology. He emphasized that the concerns about fuel supply disruptions were raised jointly by Star Oil and GOIL PLC, two of Ghana’s largest oil marketing companies, which reported similar operational challenges during the same period.
“I hear ICUMS is asking Star Oil for an apology. They deserve no such apology. The two largest OMCs in Ghana have issued similar statements today, and a note by COMAC to its members I have seen also blames ICUMS,” Tieku wrote.
The controversy began after Star Oil issued a public warning linking potential fuel shortages to alleged technical glitches on the ICUMS platform, the system responsible for processing tax obligations and enabling the lifting of petroleum products from depots. GOIL PLC issued a comparable statement highlighting difficulties in the same timeframe.
Ghana Link Network Services Ltd., the operators of ICUMS, swiftly pushed back against the accusations. In an official statement released on March 9, the company described the claims as “false, misleading, and wholly without basis,” insisting that the platform had functioned normally and without interruption since March 6, allowing all transactions to proceed smoothly.
The exchange has reignited debate within the downstream petroleum sector about the reliability of the ICUMS system and its impact on fuel distribution and availability. Industry players, including the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), have reportedly echoed similar concerns in communications to members.
As Ghana’s fuel supply chain remains under close scrutiny amid global energy market volatility, both sides have maintained their positions, with no immediate signs of reconciliation. The public disagreement underscores ongoing tensions between oil marketing companies and the customs management platform operator over operational efficiency and accountability.
