Ghanaians still pay more for gas despite minister’s announcement of levy withdrawal - COPEC
- The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has revealed that Ghanaians still pay more for LPG despite a decision to withdraw a levy placed on it
- The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) imposed two levies which were later withdrawn by the government
- The Ministry of Energy has, meanwhile, explained that the levies are no more but there are processes to follow
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The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), has expressed concerns about the continuous charging of the cylinder recirculation levy paid by consumers despite an assurance given by the Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu, that it had been withdrawn.
According to COPEC, the controversial 13.5 pesewas fee is still being charged at fuel stations all over Ghana.
The Chamber is already in court, together with the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), to ensure that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) refrains from imposing the charge.
READ ALSO: IES predicts electricity reliefs could cost government over GHC2.5 billion
A report by citibusinessnews.com shows that COPEC’s Executive Director, Duncan Amoah, maintains his argument that the NPA is still imposing the illegal tax in these times when Ghana is combating the coronavirus.
He added that inasmuch as the assurance from the minister comes at the right time, Ghanaians are still paying the illegal tax anytime they buy LPG.
The Head of Communications at the Ministry of Energy, Nana Oppong Damoah, however, explained that the directive has been issued and the processes are being undertaken to make sure that it is being implemented.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the NPA instructed industry players to begin 13.5 pesewas charge on each kilogram of LPG.
It went ahead to instruct Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs, to increase the levy on Fuel Marking Margin from three pesewas to 4.5 pesewas per litre on every product.
Although the NPA has justified its actions, some industry players have said that both directives are unlawful and must be withdrawn with immediate effect given the impact it will have on the business.
The Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu, has, meanwhile, indicated that the 13.5 pesewas levy has been withdrawn, citibusinessnews.com reports.
During a press briefing on Thursday, April 16, 2020, he explained that “That slight increase in price that you saw in the papers, it has been withdrawn.
The re-circulation module, I think as you are all aware was a very noble thing introduced by the government. That amount you saw was supposed to level up the prices. It has been withdrawn.”
In other news, the Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu, has revealed that the government would pay GHC1 billion for the three months of relief from electricity bills by consumers.
According to him, the electricity produced would cover 4.8 million metres across Ghana.
On Thursday, April 9, 2020, President Akufo-Addo announced that the poorest of the poor in Ghana would pay nothing for electricity while residential and commercial users would pay 50% of the cost per month, using the March 2020 bill as a benchmark.
READ ALSO: Think-tank warns of danger ahead after government absorbs 50% of electricity bills
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Source: YEN.com.gh
