It said the stability could be attributed to the marginal depreciation in the price of fuel on the world market.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2oBVzRXJit8eFr2XAMPXAxdgRr6DyzTC”]”The Authority wishes to advise the general public that prices of petroleum products at the pumps are expected to remain stable over the pricing window, 16th December to 31st December 2017….This is as a result of a marginal drop of fuel prices on the world market. The Exchange Rate has also remained relatively stable,” it said in a statement copied to citifmonline.com.

The NPA added that it had activated price stabilization measures in view of the situation to ensure that petroleum product prices are not increased.

“In line with a directive from the Ministry of Energy, the Authority has activated the price stabilization mechanism to avoid any upward adjustment in prices…. the Authority has therefore adjusted the PRICE STABILIZATION and RECOVERY LEVY (PSRL) on Diesel and LPG. This adjustment will not result in any price increment.”

IES predicts no fuel price increase

The Institute of Energy Securities (IES ) had earlier predicted the stability in petroleum product prices.

According to the Principal Research Analyst at the IES, Richmond Rockson, who spoke to Citi Business News, despite the fast depreciation of the cedi against the dollar, the effect on petrol prices will be minimal.

“In the next pricing window which is the first pricing window in December, we forsee fuel prices remaining fairly stable, when I say fairly stable what I mean is that we are not expecting any price change and even if there will be a change in prices it won’t be significant,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, failure to do so will amount to a breach of the constitution.

The NPA over the weekend announced that it has reduced the levy from 10 to 3 pesewas on a litre each of diesel and LPG, to cushion consumers from high prices.

Although the development has been lauded by petroleum product users, Mr Jinapor believes it will be in the best interest of the government to seek approval in parliament.

John Jinapor in a statement copied to citifmonline.com, also called on the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), to fully disclose the levy so far accrued from the actual “Petroleum Price Build Up (PBU) instead of the opaque manner in which the prices are being determined.”

Read the full statement below:

I have noted with dismay, media reports the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is claiming to cushion petroleum price increases on Ghanaians by amending the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (of the Energy Sector Levy Act 899 of 2015 as Amended under Act 946) without recourse to parliament.

Section 5 of  Act 899 states that ;

The Minister shall cause to be opened and maintained an account known as the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy to provide:

1. Buffer for under-recoveries in the petroleum sector,
2. Subsidize petroleum prices and
3. Subsidize pre-mix and residual fuel oil.

The Levy imposed on petrol is Ghp12/Ltr, diesel is Ghp10/Ltr  and LPG is Ghp10/kg.

It is important to remind the NPA that Article 175 of the Constitution explicitly states that no taxation shall be imposed otherwise than by or under the authority of an Act of Parliament. It further states that Where an Act, enacted in accordance with this article, confers power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by that Act, the exercise of the power of waiver or variation, in favour of any person or authority, shall be subject to the prior approval of Parliament by resolution.

If Government is truly committed to reducing the burden on consumers, it should, as a matter of urgency, proceed to Parliament to seek an amendment of the Act, anything short of this is only deceptive.

Moreover Section 8 (Interpretations) specifically stated that the Minister responsible for the oversight administration of the PSRL is the Minister of Finance and not the Minister of Energy.

It therefore comes as a surprise that the Minister of Energy is attempting to arrogate to himself the functions and responsibilities of the Minister of Finance.

At this moment, it is important to demand of the Akufo-Addo led government to account for revenues accrued from the PRSL since assuming office and how the receipts have been disbursed.

Page 21 of the Annual Report on The Management of The Energy Sector Levies And Accounts for the Year 2016 Submitted to Parliament by Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance makes revenue collection projections for year 2017 amounting to GHS415,344,429 from the PSRL.

It is equally important to demand full disclosure from the NPA on the actual Petroleum Price Build Up (PBU) instead of the opaque manner in which the prices are being determined.

The big question is, what were the actual price changes at the pump preceding the so called intervention by the NPA.

Analysis clearly shows most prices are to remain unchanged even with the full implementation of the PSRL.

John Abdulai JinaporJinapor

MP, Yapei-Kusawgu

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking at the launch the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority Hassan Tampuli said the national safety campaign is intended to raise awareness of the need to adhere to safety rules when handling petroleum products.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fdKTDwdS3kvNnvTgcgyWKZsUtVW9EH1u”]“The campaign is also to educate the public on their role in preventing fires at all petroleum installations and other locations in the country”.

Among other things the National Petroleum Safety Campaign is expected to embark on a door-to-door LPG safety programme to educate operators of restaurants, hotels and ‘chop-bars’ in all regions of Ghana.

Reports indicate that about 40% of patients who report to the Plastic Surgery and Burns Center of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital suffered petroleum product-related accidents.

Hassan Tampuli revealed that the Authority has constituted a committee to oversee the activities of a task force that will undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of the existing LPG infrastructure in the country.

“Authority has constituted a committee to oversee the activities of a task force that will undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of the existing LPG infrastructure in the country.”

The criteria for categorizing the stations into low or high risk will include the following:

1. Siting/Location of station: The compatibility of the station with surrounding activities will be physically assessed to inform the ranking of the facility. The station must also meet the required minimum safety distances.
2. Engineering Design and Infrastructure: The facility layout and the engineering shall conform to strict standards. Material of construction shall be appropriate and non-combustible with the requisite anti-fire or resistant properties. Facilities without the incorporation of active safety systems shall be closed down to avoid any loss of containment incidents.
3. Operations and Management: The assessment will also cover the operations and general management of the facility. All staff within the facility should demonstrate adequate knowledge of handling LPG and the standard operating procedures.

High-risk stations will be closed down while low-risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved standards.”

Earlier inspection of facilities

Mr. Tampuli said the NPA in collaboration with other agencies including the Ghana National Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Factories Inspectorate Department have so far inspected 276 LPG refilling plants in the country out of the 636 distributed across the country.

According to him, 45 of the stations have been closed down due to non-compliance while 37 others have been marked for closure when the level of their stocks reduce to levels within the safety zone.

“Twenty-six (26) outlets have been reopened after comprehensive inspections were carried out by the Inspections and Monitoring unit of the Authority. One Hundred and fourteen outlets (114) were found to be in full compliance with the prescribed safety standards. Out of the 636 registered number of refilling plants, fifty-four (54) is not in operation,” he revealed.

Cylinder Recirculation Model of LPG distribution

Hassan Tampuli noted that the NPA will soon publish the licensing requirements for setting up LPG Bottling Plants as part of efforts to ensure that the cylinder recirculation model of LPG distribution comes into force in one year as directed by Cabinet earlier this month.

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By: Naa Kwaamah Siaw-Marfo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPA launches campaign to fight fuel station accidents appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

James Sampa, charged with defilement, was found guilty at the end of the trial before the court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava.

According to the court Sampa after defiling the victim infected her with a vaginal infection for which the victim was treated.

The facts as presented by Prosecuting Inspector Kofi Atimbire, were that the complainant was a writer based at Maamobi in Accra.

According to the prosecution, the victim lives with the mother at Kawukudi, and that, Sampa also resides in the same area.

On August 21, 2012, at about 1630 hours, the victim was sent by her mother to collect a mobile phone from a friend.

On her way, Sampa, who was standing in front of his kiosk called the victim.

Based on Sampa’s request, the victim entered the kiosk and unknown to the victim; he (Sampa) pushed the victim on to his bed and had sex with her.

Prosecution said when the victim was entering the kiosk, some witnesses saw her and informed the victim’s mother and they all entered Sampa’s kiosk.

Inspector Atimbire said the victim and the witnesses, knocked at the Kiosk but there was no response and they forced open the door only to find Sampa and the victim.

Sampa was apprehended and sent to the Nima Police station where the victim was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.

Prosecution said the matter was later referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Accra.

Source: GNA

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