Energy Ministry to account for unspent ¢20m out of ¢84m used in fixing street lights in 2018/19
- The Energy Ministry is expected to account for almost ¢20 million unspent money
- The Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu revealed that although over ¢273 million was collected for the Public Lighting Levy between 2018 and 2019, only ¢64 million was transferred to the Ministry
- According to Amewu, it was for the purpose of fixing and maintaining street lights
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The Energy Ministry is expected to account for almost ¢20 million unspent money.
The Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu has revealed that although over ¢273 million was collected for the Public Lighting Levy between 2018 and 2019, only ¢64 million was transferred to the Ministry.
This according to him, was for the purpose of fixing and maintaining street lights.
According to a report filed by Joy News, the amount was collected by Electricity Company (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) as indicated in the Energy Sector Amendment Act.
Source: Original
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Speaking on the Floor of parliament, while responding to questions by Adaklu MP Kwame Agbodza, Amewu explained that, “a total of ¢273,876,832.16 was collected” over the period
“Whilst a total amount of ¢83,235,728.49 was transferred to the Ministry of Energy, a total amount of ¢64,462,596.56 was utilised by the Ministry of Energy,” he said
Per the Energy Sector Levies Act 2017, 3% per kWh of electricity shall be charged on all categories of consumers as indicated in the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act 2017, (Act 946).
The levy is used to support payment of energy bills consumed by traffic lights, on highways, maintenance and investment of traffic lights and, street lights and public lights on highways by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
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In other words, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has revealed plans by the government to increase revenue mobilisation and the tax-to-GDP ratio.
YEN.com.gh understands that the intent is to push the ratio from the current 13 percent to 20 percent.
This, he said, would be possible if mobilization of revenue is increased and the economy is digitalised.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
