The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the recent surge in the prices of petroleum products at the pumps as “unacceptable” and called on the government to immediately scrap the recent increase in the Energy Sector Levies.
According to the party, Ghanaians were already experiencing “excruciating hardships”; therefore, increasing fuel prices at such a time would amount to the government being insensitive.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the party’s National Communication Officer, Mr Sammy Gyamfi.
Background
Prices of various petroleum products went on the rise last Monday after the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were directed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to start applying the revised Energy Sector Levies.
The NPA’s directive was in line with what was announced in the supplementary budget presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta.
Based on the revision, petrol will witness a ¢0.20 adjustment while diesel will also attract a ¢0.20 jump in price per litre.
Pump prices have shot up from GH¢5.19 per litre to about GH¢5.39 per litre, representing a 3.7 per cent jump in prices at the pumps.