The Executive Director for the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, has urged government to develop more sustainable measures to cushion fuel consumers.

Fuel prices have been on a steady rise since April 2021, leading to persistent agitations among industry players and transport operators in the country.

Currently, a litre of petrol and diesel is selling at GH¢6.90 at the pumps.

Speaking on the AM Show on Joy News, Wednesday, Nana Amoasi VII criticised the many levies on fuel in the country.

He noted that the government must scrap some of the taxes to reduce fuel prices at the pumps.

 “Government has a lot of taxes and levies and margins on the same fuel. Last year you could have all these taxes sum up to somewhere around ¢3.99 this year around ¢2.9 thereabout. If the government wants to take away some taxes, it could help, especially the Special Petroleum Tax.

"It is good that we have seen the suspension of the Price Stabilisation Recovery Levy; maybe they can consider other taxes for removal,” he said.

According to Nana Amoasi VII, a more sustainable approach is needed to address the consistent increase in fuel prices.

While acknowledging that the removal or scrap of some taxes on fuel could help cushion consumers, he argued that the measure would only be short-term.

He further called on the government to initiate more sustainable measures to address the consistent fuel price hikes.

“Maybe they could consider making BOST work better, TOR work better, manage the forest exposure to the importers and other areas they could consider,” he suggested.

As part of measures to cushion the burden on consumers, government last month suspended the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL) on petroleum products for two months, which took effect on November 1, 2021.

But the transport operators have argued that the measure by government would have no significant effect on fuel price increase.

They have, therefore, called on government to urgently address the issue of fuel price increment.