The former Deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor has questioned government’s commitment to cushioning the general public against the effects of the hikes in fuel prices.

His query comes after the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a suspension of the price stabilization fund and the recovery levies for the next two months to ease the burden on consumers.

The NPA, however, added that it will require the approval of Parliament to effect the changes that will bring the expected relief.

But the Yapei-Kusawgu legislator disagrees with the Authority.

According to Mr Jinapor, government can make use of the stabilisation fund which does not require parliamentary approval.

“The essence of the Price Stabilisation Levy is to accumulate money so that when there is an increment that we are expecting, you can fall on that to cushion consumers. I am surprised that the NPA says that they are waiting for Parliament to resume,” he said.

The former deputy Power Minister further asked the NPA, “How much do you have in the Price Stabilisation Levy? And how many weeks, days, or months can that amount cushion consumers?

On Wednesday, October 13, the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and the NPA announced that prices of fuel will be adjusted upwards by at least by 7 per cent at the pumps come Saturday, October 16.

This development has raised a lot of uproar among a section of Ghanaians.