The Energy Ministry is to account for almost ¢20 million as it spent ¢64 million fixing and maintaining street lights in 2018 and 2019.
John Peter Amewu, Energy Minister, has said although over ¢273 million was collected for the Public Lighting Levy between 2018 and 2019, only ¢64 million was transferred to the Ministry for the purpose of fixing and maintaining street lights.
This 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.
Mr Amewu was responding to questions by Adaklu MP Kwame Agbodza Governs on the how much the country has collected by the Ministry in relation to street lights and the fraction utilised in 2018 and 2019.
Speaking on the Floor Thursday, Mr Amewu explained that, “a total of ¢273,876,832.16 was collected” over the period
Out of this amount, he revealed that ¢83 million was transferred to the Ministry of Energy but not all the funds were utilised.
“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.”
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.