The Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee and Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, has accused the government of failing to use proceeds from the Energy Sector Recovery Levy to settle energy sector debts as originally intended.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, July 31, Dr Boako recalled that the government introduced the GH¢1 per litre levy last year as part of measures to address outstanding debts in the energy sector.
However, he claimed the intended objective of the levy has not been achieved despite revenue being generated from the charge.
According to him, findings by the World Bank indicate that while the levy was collected, the funds were not applied towards settling the debts for which the measure was introduced.
“Last year, the NDC government introduced the GH¢1 per litre Energy Sector Recovery Levy to repay energy sector debts. Yet, according to the World Bank, although the levy was collected, government failed to pay the debt as indicated,” he said.
Dr Boako said the development raises concerns about the management of public funds and called on the government to account for how proceeds from the levy have been utilised before introducing additional tax measures.
He maintained that greater transparency is needed in the management of revenues generated through such interventions.
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