According to him, the government’s decision to “clandestinely” increase the price of fuel is “unfortunate”.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, John Jinapor said the fuel price increase is an indication of the government’s failure to keep up with its campaign promise of removing taxes that contribute to the fuel price build up.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WZy4kDVQunplMw9fBRBmBQ27X92SjNlI”]“I went to the pump today [Tuesday], and realized there is an increment. NPA and government must come out clear on what is happening. This idea of clandestinely increasing fuel prices is most unfortunate. If you increase fuel prices, communicate it, so that there is no ambiguity,” John Jinapor said.

Some drivers, especially in Accra, have in the past week complained about an exponential increase in the price of fuel at various fuel stations although there has not been any official communication from the government or any agency in the petroleum sector to that effect.

Information available to citifmonline.com indicates that, the price of fuel hit an all-year record high this month [September], with Diesel being sold at  GH¢4.29 per litre, and Petrol being sold at GH¢ 4.23.

In July, diesel was sold at about GH¢ 3.77 per litre, while petrol was sold at GH¢ 3.76. John Jinapor alleged that some drivers had begun increasing transport fares, although there has not been any general talk about increases in transport fares.

“Some drivers have gone ahead to increase their transport fares by as much as 30%. I think the government must live up to its responsibility and protect the Ghanaian interest and do what is right,” he said.

The Institute of Energy Security (IES), had earlier predicted a 7% increase in fuel prices.

The increase has been attributed to the marginal depreciation of the cedi, as well as increased global crude oil prices due to the recent floods in the US which affected production at major oil companies.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Come clean on ‘secret’ fuel price increases – Jinapor dares gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the report is full of factual inaccuracies and lacks objectivity.

[contextly_sidebar id=”1ajxiu29k3cAMjqMtiWCEK8nJzCr9Vfz”]Speaking at a press conference in Accra on the matter, Mr. Donkor said the committee itself had been involved in shady deals with AMERI, hence does not have the moral right to question the erstwhile government’s dealings.

He said, “who should bear the allegation of fraud? The agreement went through cabinet, the committee on mines and energy recommended by consensus to plenary and was passed by parliament. Was parliament party to this fraud? Is the plant not running and operational? Does it not have the cheapest tariff of all the thermal plans in the country? First of all, there was no fraud. The committee cannot use the relationship between the development and the contractors as the basis of fraud.”

Kwabena Donkor added that, “If there was fraud, why wouldn’t the committee recommend straight away the termination of the contract and take criminal action, but why recommend that you are inviting them back to the table for negotiations. And only if they don’t agree, then you will introduce fraud.”

A 17-member committee constituted by the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, and chaired by lawyer Philip Addison, said it had discovered many lapses in the contract, which was worth $510 million, and was signed by the John Mahama government.

Among other things, the committee said the government fraudulently paid an extra $150 million in the AMERI power plant deal.

It noted that, the contractor, PPR, actually built and financed the plant at a cost of $360 million, yet AMERI, which secured the deal, forwarded a bill of $510 million in the agreement with government.

But according to Mr. Donkor, the committee failed to invite relevant individuals in the previous government to help it acquire the full details about the agreement.

“The committee did not find it necessary to either invite the then minister in charge or his deputy to provide relevant information that will help its work. Neither myself as the then sector Minister who piloted this agreement through parliament or my deputy was invited by this committee and yet against the rules of natural justice, the committee goes ahead to allege fraud,” he said.

A former Head of Communications at the Ministry of Petroleum, Edward Bawa, in a previous interview with Citi News said the extra $150 million was a commission that was included in the original Bills of Quantity submitted to undertake the service, and was paid because AMERI was “not a charity organisation” hence had to be paid for its work.

Mr. Donkor also pledged the Minority National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) support to ensure a strong energy sector.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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