86.3 million cedis spent to subsidize fuel this year

Accra, July 13, GNA - Dr Joseph Oteng Adjei, Minister for Energy, said on Wednesday that this year's total fuel price subsidy from the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning is GH=F8 86,313,969.00. He said the available empirical data show that government over the years have been subsidising fuel prices.

Dr Adjei took his turn to answer questions regarding the activities of his ministry on the floor of Parliament. He also answered a question on delay in the extenstion of electricity to Ajarija-Beposo, Abease and Zabrama communities. Mr Adjei said reason for the delay in the execution of works is due to the unavailability of some materials required for the work. He said the Ministry was in the process of securing additional funds for the purchase of the required materials to enable the completion of the project by the end of the year. He said this included the recently approved loan facility of 80million between the government of Ghana and the Trust Bank Ghana Limited by Parliament.

Mr Adjei said the Zabrama Community forms part of turnkey project being financed and executed from a suppliers' credit by China International Water and Electric Corporation, adding, the Ministry of Energy was in the process of sourcing additional funds from China Water Electric Corporation to ensure that all outstanding installation works were completed.