The Tanker Drivers Association expressed outrage over some components of the draft policy saying it will put its members out of business and create a monopoly for oil company Puma Energy.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rpd8OBQdifX7UMM3aHBF8Jm3rAu6CqlX”]The drivers also planned to demonstrate against the government if it did not suspend the policy.

The Ministry may have been compelled by the threat by the Tanker Drivers Union and members of the general public who were also anger by plans to create monopoly over  for one company.

A letter signed by the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Lawrence Apaalsethe and sighted by Citi News said his outfit suspended the policy for further consultations.

“We have taken note of the progress made so far by the Ministerial sub-committee from under the NPA to review the above policy. We have also taken note of the challenges faced by the sub-committee in the completion of its work as well as the concerns raised by LPGMCs and Tanker Drivers’ Union on the policy.”

“In view of the above, the Ministry wishes to recall the draft National LPG policy for further consultations with all relevant stakeholders especially LPGMCs and Tanker Drivers,” the statement added.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Energy Ministry withdraws LPG draft policy after uproar appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to IMANI, the report by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) clearing BOST of any wrongdoing as announced by the Minister of Energy, is not only baffling but “juvenile” and “delinquent.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”0Iw0CNHhZDV6r8C7E82q160h2kmK0CzY”]“This whole mockery of governance can be made clean again by a singular act of the President for fresh inquiry into the activities of BOST in the last 8 years, and all persons liable for fuel fraud to be held accountable. But we want immediate answers to the present fraud. It is simply early in the day for a new government with boundless optimism,” a statement signed by President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe stated.

BOST had been widely criticized for selling 5 million litres of contaminated fuel to two unlicensed companies, Movepiina and Zup Oil, which were allegedly set up few days before the sale making Ghana lose about GHc 7 million in revenue.

The Energy Ministry subsequently set an investigative committee to look into the mater.

However, the Minister, Boakye Agyarko, on Tuesday cleared BOST and its Managing Director, Alfred Obeng Boateng of any wrongdoing citing a BNI and National Security report.

“The investigations so far carried out by the state security agencies and the NPA show that on the basis of previous practice, there was no wrongdoing at BOST on the sale of the 5 million liters of contaminated products,” he added.

But IMANI in its statement argued that, clearing BOST of any wrongdoing is a “mockery of governance”  and a “bastardization of our institutions by politicians.”

“This whole saga is the clearest example yet of bastardisation of our institutions by politicians. How a supposedly competent committee set up by the energy ministry got railroaded and trumped over by the  BNI baffles all observers of our democracy. At worse, were the BNI justified to intervene, their conclusions are at best juvenile and delinquent,” he added.

Gov’t, BNI covering up contaminated fuel saga – Minority 

The Minority had accused the BNI of covering up the alleged rot at BOST over the sale of the 5 million litres of contaminated fuel.

Addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, indicated that, they will stop at nothing to expose the alleged rot at BOST.

“The mere selling of contaminated oil matter to motorists, the mere admission of the regulator, the NPA to the extent that they were unaware and they had not licensed a particular entity also raises major issues as to which entity, registered or not registered that the state should be dealing with. The BNI would have to come public to share with us what they have investigated and what their findings are and not just a mere statement to the effect that the Minister should dissolve his committee,” Haruna Iddrisu added.

Below is IMANI’s full statement:

IMANI’s Statement of Support for Fresh Enquiry into the Fuel Fraud Saga

Sadly, there are inconsistencies in the accounts of the energy ministry, the National Petroleum Authority and the state owned bulk oil storage company, BOST, over the fuel fraud saga.  The attached open letter addressed to the President and also sent to me anonymously, gives some rather damning reasons for chain of errors.

What is clear from the varied accounts we have so far is that;

1. The regulator, the NPA, was kept in the dark about the shady deal until very very late in the day so its account for the most part, unfortunately does not count.
2. Close to 300,000 litres of deliberately contaminated fuel had been released onto the market and all relevant authorities in the trade are aware of it.
3. That the companies involved have no licenses and mandate to operate in the trade, illegal trade actually.
4. This whole saga is the clearest example yet of bastardisation of our institutions by politicians. How a supposedly competent committee set up by the energy ministry got railroaded and trumped over by the BNI baffles all observers of our democracy. At worse, were the BNI justified to intervene, their conclusions are at best juvenile and delinquent.
5. This whole mockery of governance can be made clean again by a singular act of the President- fresh inquiry into the activities of BOST in the last 8 years and all persons liable for fuel fraud be held accountable. But we want immediate answers to the present fraud. It is simply early in the day for a new government with boundless optimism.

Respectfully yours,

Franklin Cudjoe

Founding President & CEO, IMANI

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Investigate BOST scandal again – IMANI tells Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The inauguration which took place in Ada in the Eastern Region, is in line with the Civil Service Act 1993 (PNDCL 327) section 39.

The act stipulates that a Ministerial Advisory Board is established in every Ministry to among other things promote constant interaction between the Energy Ministry and the users of its services, as well as advise the Minister on adjustments in policy directions, planning objectives and operational strategies.

Legal Director for the Energy Ministry, Madam Vivienne Gadzekpo, who inaugurated the board, mentioned the Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko as the Chairman of the board, with Joseph Cudjoe, Deputy Energy Minister in charge of Finance and Infrastructure, Prof. Thomas Akabzaa, Chief Director of the Energy Ministry, Theophilus Ahwireng, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Dr. K.K Sam, CEO of GNPC, Senyo Hosi, CEO of Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors as members.

The rest are Ing. William Amuna, CEO of GRIDCo, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Duah, CEO of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Nana Addo Tetedo, President of the Electrical Contractors Association and Mr. Seth Osei-Agyen, Director Finance & Admin, Ministry of Energy.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Energy Ministry inaugurates ministerial advisory board appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.