Richmond Rockson, a Principal researcher at Institute of Energy Security has stated that the 2018 budget read by the minister of finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Attah did not give the full picture of the current energy sector.
According to him the due credit and recognition should have been given to the past NDC government for the effort done to restore the failing energy sector.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Morning show, ‘Oman yi mu nsem’, with Emmanuel Quarshie on Thursday, 16th November, 2017, Mr. Rockson stated that although the budget is named ‘Adwuma’ budget there is nothing in there that will favour the energy sector.
“It is a smart way to outsmart Ghanaians, it can be recalled that the past NPP government made it known to us that they will reduce taxes on petroleum products, but that has not materialized”
“Petroleum keeps on increasing in prices because of the cedi- dollar exchange rate and the cost of petroleum on the world market”
“The government could have helped the consumers if taxes on these products are taken off. But they only reduced the special petroleum tax from 17.5% to 15% which is not significant” He stated
He further stated that, the current government’s statement that they have abolished some duty taxes is false. These taxes has no or negligible effect on prices of petroleum. Cost of duty on petrol was 2 pesewa whiles that of diesel were 1.8pesewa.
“There is no difference made in the prices of consumption of these products, the government in my opinion should have used the 2018 budget to correct this anomaly”. He reiterated.
He also stated that the cost of a litter of petrol goes for GHc 4.33 on average terms, which will go up sooner than we imagine.
“Unfortunately that is what has happened in previous governments”
“The NPP government instead of reviewing the prices has maintained prices and used it as bases for a bond of 4.7 billion for the energy sector”.
“The current trend will continue if nothing is done about the situation the cost of petrol will shoot up to GHc 5.00 per liter which will be dangerous for our economy”. He concluded.
Daniel Koranteng Kwagyiri| ahotoronline.com|Ghana
