The Member of Parliament for the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency and a member of the Energy Committee of Parliament,Mr Kofi Arko Nokoe, has slammed the minority for misleading Ghanaians over the approval of the Ghc1 levy on fuel.
Although the minority claims it had no knowledge of the levy, the MP says they were consulted before the levy was approved.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the lawmaker revealed that all the members from the Minority side on the Finance Committee and all the leaders from the Energy Committee were present in the committee meeting when the new energy sector amendment bill was tabled for discussion.
He explained that the key reason the levy was introduced was to ensure the continuous provision of a reliable power supply for Ghanaians.
Contrary to assertions by the minority that this would increase fuel prices at the pump, he refuted and described them as false.
He stated fuel prices have reduced significantly from the previous amount of Ghc16 per litre to Ghc12 due to the “fantastic leadership of President John Dramani Mahama and his finance minister Dr Ato Forson”.
‘’As bold as President John Dramani Mahama is, and the fantastic leadership of, of course, his finance minister, fuel prices have reduced significantly, and as a measure, we have made an adjustment to add a Ghc1 levy to each litre of fuel to help us generate some revenue for the continuous provision of reliable power supply. This was not to burden Ghanaians but to help address challenges in the energy sector. Through this initiative, we will be able to solve our problems and clear the debt in the energy sector in the next four to five years.’’
He assured Ghanaians that the government will return to parliament to make additional adjustments if fuel prices rise.
‘’We should have added a sunset clause in the amendment bill, but we wish to assure Ghanaians to be a little positive and avoid speculations since they can be both negative and positive. We should chart the both of positive speculations. If we wake up tomorrow and the price at the pumps for fuel increases, we as a party and a government will not hesitate in going back to parliament and making amendments. Ghanaians should trust in our leadership in solving the challenges confronting the country. When we get to that point, we will certainly deal with the challenges. However, they should be confident that the cedi will continue to stabilise and that fuel prices at the pump will not reach Ghc15 per litre.”
When asked why the Ghc1 per litre and not a gallon, he explained that there was the need for the government to take advantage of the gains made by the local currency.
‘Let us take advantage of the gains. The cedi is currently strong, and we must act quickly and strategically in order to solve the problems. The finance minister and the governor of the Bank of Ghana both assured us that the cedi would continue to stabilise against foreign currencies. Ghanaians should give us the benefit of the doubt. We will not disappoint you.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana