Consumers of fuel, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), have demanded that government intervenes to ensure that petroleum prices are reduced.
This is because there are hints of a seven percent increase in petroleum prices in less than 48 hours. The price of LPG is also set to increase by some 40 pesewas per kilo.
Spokesperson for the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC), Kwaku Agyeman Duah said the seven percent increase in the prices of fuel, will reflect at the pumps by Saturday morning.
“This is so volatile, it means there’s going to be increase. It means something has to be added. It’s usually the end of the window and beginning of the next window, we are just ending the 15th then we start on the 16th,” he stated.
Some of the consumers shared their concerns with Joy News about how the expected increase would affect them.
“The increase of the fuel price, we are not agreeing with it, so we are pleading with the government to reduce the price of the fuel,” one consumer said.
Another fuel consumer who also lamented over the increase said "it's going to worry us a lot as the consumers because whenever things are increased, it affect lives a lot.”
“In view of what they've already proposed with the LPG gas, we would like to plead with the government to do something about it because with the standard of living now in Accra, it's getting higher," another said.
That notwithstanding, government has announced the removal of levies for the next two months adding up to 16 pesewas as a means of cushioning consumers.
Head of Communications at the NPA Abdul Kudus explained that the levies suspended by government will only come into effect once Parliament grants approval.
“I think it comes under the fees and charges act or something. So Parliament must certainly look at it. Like I said we’ll be looking at the next pricing window, its possible Parliament will take the decision tomorrow I’m not too sure,” he said.
But former Deputy Power Minister and Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, John Jinapor disagrees with the NPA.
He questioned government’s commitment to cushioning the general public against the effects of the hikes in fuel prices.
According to him, government can make use of the stabilization 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.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association, Gabriel Kum has said that government should focus on permanently scrapping these levies, adding that their sale points will increase prices but not much will change with regards to the suspended levies.
Latest Stories
-
Empowering Girls in ICT: FAWE Ghana advocates for gender equality in the Tech sector
1 hour -
Rangnick ‘contacted by Bayern Munich’ about manager job
1 hour -
Winneba Youth Choir celebrates 35th Anniversary with Aseda Concert sponsored by Fidelity Bank
1 hour -
Bonwire residents reject Agya Koo’s endorsement of Ejisu NPP MP aspirant
2 hours -
SSNIT to run out of reserves due to deficits – ILO
2 hours -
Lagos officials eye Jospong Group’s eco-friendly waste management module
2 hours -
Photos: NDC outdoors Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate
2 hours -
Tevez released from hospital after chest pains
2 hours -
EU expresses confidence in Ghana’s rejection of Anti-LGBTQI legislation
2 hours -
UK to improve access to life-saving malaria drugs for the most-affected countries
2 hours -
Newey to leave Red Bull over Horner allegations
2 hours -
Fifa announces deal with Saudi oil company Aramco
2 hours -
Free SHS: It takes time to review a policy – Tsiboe-Darko
2 hours -
Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against PM Pedro Sánchez’s wife
2 hours -
Kwabena Fori releases ‘Let Me Go’ ahead of ‘Tuesday’ EP
2 hours