Govt gives fuel price relief - Measures include public transport fare & tax cuts
The government has announced a number of measures to immediately cushion Ghanaians from the recent spike in fuel prices.
The measures include the removal of some taxes and margins on the petroleum price build-up, the deployment of newly acquired buses for the Metro Mass Transit Limited, particularly on high-traffic corridors, and the lowering of fares charged by Metro Mass below those of private sector operators.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the Cabinet decision yesterday evening at the Jubilee House in Accra.
This was after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President John Dramani Mahama yesterday.
Context
Crude oil has been trading in the region of $60 a barrel since January this year, resulting in lower fuel prices at the pumps.
However, following the Israel-US war against Iran, which started on February 28 this year, prices of the commodity started trending upwards, especially after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20 per cent of global crude oil supply passes.
This has led to a sudden spike in crude oil prices from $63 from February 26, this year, to a peak of $102 last Monday on the WTI Futures, before trending downwards to $93 last Wednesday, upon the announcement of the ceasefire, and up again to $95 as of yesterday.
“Since the beginning of the conflict, there has been significant restriction.
This has led to an increase in crude oil prices and a significant increase in insurance premiums and other such costs,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained.
“That is what has accounted for the increases we have seen in the last two pricing weeks,” he added.
He noted that prior to the external shocks, the country had enjoyed a very stable economic environment that had significantly cushioned Ghanaians.
Measures
To avert further fallout, Cabinet issued three major directives, effective immediately, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.
First, Cabinet instructed the Ministers of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, to take immediate steps to reduce the price of fuel through the “temporary” removal of some taxes and margins.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the adjustments were expected to take effect within the next pricing window, approximately one week from today.
Metro Mass buses
Again, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Nikpe, was also charged with ensuring the rapid deployment of the newly acquired buses for the MMT, particularly on high-traffic corridors.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu reminded the public that the President had announced, over the weekend, the arrival of the first batch of 100 MMT buses, saying a second batch of 100 was expected in August, this year, with the final batch of 100 in November, bringing the total to 300.
“Currently, we have 100 available, and the Transport Minister has been instructed by Cabinet to ensure expedited deployment of these buses in high traffic corridors to alleviate any difficulties that may have arisen out of the recent price increases,” he said.
Lower fares
In addition, the Transport Minister is to ensure that both the new and existing MMT buses charge transport fares lower than those of private sector operators.
“This is to ensure that Ghanaians are cushioned, especially when we reach peak periods at rush hours,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu added.
Presidential directive on fuel allowances
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications also revealed that President Mahama used the Cabinet meeting to remind all ministers, senior government officials and appointees to adhere strictly to his ban on fuel allowances and the allocation of fuel.
No further details were provided on the specific taxes or margins to be removed.
On behalf of the government, Mr Kwakye Ofosu assured the public that the measures were designed to prevent further economic fallout and protect Ghanaians from the full impact of external shocks.
