The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has threatened to protest against the increment in the Energy Sector Levies (ESLA) as announced by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta which will increase fuel prices in Ghana.
The government is proposing to increase the ESLA by GH¢ 0.20 per litre for petrol and diesel and GHc 0.8 per kg for LPG.
Presenting the Mid-year Budget Review, Mr Ofori-Atta said the government had to turn to the ESLA to raise more funds to settle legacy debts inherited from the erstwhile John Mahama administration.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, the Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah said they will first resort to due processes in handling the situation.
“We will resort to some initial dialogue to ensure that whatever he [the Finance Minister] is proposing, Members of Parliament will reject it or not allow it to materialise. But, if they still insist or push forward, we will not go on a demonstration, we will go on a sleepover,” he warned.
To Mr Amoah, he didn’t expect the government to “increase fuel prices by increasing taxes further” because Ghanaians are already struggling with current fuel prices.
“I know teachers; I know lecturers who complain of the high fuel prices in the country. I know journalists who meet you and tell you they have packed their vehicles already because they can’t afford to be fueling it,” he added.
Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere