In the ongoing Atimpoku fuel contamination case, a star witness for Vivo Energy Ghana Limited told the Accra High Court that he has not seen or submitted any investigative reports on the incident.
Mr. John Delase-Michael, Station Manager at the Atimpoku branch, said during cross-examination on Thursday that he was not informed of the outcomes of investigations carried out by national agencies following the August 28, 2022 incident.
The case, brought by businessman Mr. Edmund Barwuah, alleges that Vivo Energy sold petrol mixed with water to him and other customers, prompting the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to temporarily close the station. The plaintiff claims the company failed in its duty of care to ensure fuel quality, accusing it of negligence for financial gain.
Mr. Delase-Michael explained that while the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Ghana National Fire Service, and the NPA were invited to investigate, it was the head office’s responsibility—not his—to call them. He confirmed that he has not received or presented any official assessment or impact report in court.
The witness also stated he was unaware of specific guidelines for managing rainfall at the station, though he acknowledged past incidents such as the 2015 twin disaster at Kwame Nkrumah Circle involving flooding and a fuel explosion.
Vivo Energy has maintained that heavy rains caused water to enter the underground fuel tank, apologizing for the inconvenience to customers, while asserting that the contamination was accidental and beyond the station manager’s control.
The case continues as the court examines the responsibilities of the company in preventing fuel contamination and safeguarding public safety.
