Fuel levy: Oppong Nkrumah exposes NDC

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has criticized the government’s implementation of the Energy Sector Fuel Levy, describing it as a revenue-generating tool rather than a genuine solution to challenges in the energy sector.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom, the MP—who also serves as the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee—argued that the levy was introduced to make up for revenue lost due to the removal of multiple taxes and levies.

According to him, claims that the levy is meant to address energy sector debts are misleading. He insisted that the government’s real motive is to fill budget gaps created by its own policy decisions.

“The government in one breath said that they wanted to pay energy sector debt, and we reminded them that on two other occasions, they had come for an amendment to go and pay energy sector debt, so this cannot be for energy sector debt.

“Then the Energy Minister corrected himself and said that this is essentially to ensure that there is fuel to power our thermal plants, and that is why it is called the ‘Dumsor Levy.’

“They still have not provided clarity on it, but we know what it is for. It is to block the hole in the budget that has been created as a result of the removal of taxes without introducing budget-cutting measures,” he stated.

He urged the government to be transparent with the public about the true intent of the levy.