Government's Reaction To fuel Situation is Hollow - Minority

Accra The Minority group in Parliament said has the government's reaction to the fuel situation "is hollow and notorious for its lack of any significant information." Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minority spokesman on mines and energy, was reacting to a statement on the fuel situation made to the House by Mr Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy.

He said the issue was treated so lightly as if nothing of importance has occurred. The Minority boycotted Mr Abingya's statement because in their view, the Supreme Court's ruling on the status of retained ministers and deputy ministers, puts Mr Abingya's status in controversy. Mr Kan-Dapaah said the issue was so serious that it had to go on the agenda of cabinet.

"If this is the information that was sent to them (cabinet), then it is regrettable." The Minority has since last week filed an urgent question to the sector minister for a brief on the fuel situation and an assurance that it will not occur again. Mr Kan-Dapaah said the statement did not respond to the issues raised and abhorred the lack of seriousness the ministry attached to the question.

''Considering the seriousness of the situation, the ministry should have volunteered an explanation to the house without waiting for our question.'' The spokesman said the fuel situation is yet to normalise, adding that vehicles are still queueing for diesel in Berekum and the Northern parts of the country.

''There are even reports that in Mr Abingya's constituency (Bolgatanga), there are shortages of kerosene'' which sells at 1,500 cedis a bottle in some parts of the country. Mr Kan-Dapaah said he is wondering what has happened to monies collected as stock levies on petroleum products. ''What are the reserve tanks, built with loans, being used for three years after their completion and commissioning?'' He said the shortages will affect macro-economic indices, given the increases in food prices and the effect on industries. Mr Kan-Dapaah said the ministry has to tell the nation the effect of the shortage on productivity and the economy in general. ''Ghanaians want to know who was responsible for the shortages,'' he added. Gri