Scrap energy levy, I’ll walk barefooted to Flagstaff House - Jinapor

Former Deputy Minister of Power, John Jinapor, has promised to walk barefooted from parliament to the presidency to congratulate President Akufo-Addo if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is able to scrap the energy sector levy and VAT on electricity as it has promised to do.

The passage of the energy sector levy resulted in the prices of petroleum products shooting up by 27 per cent. Electricity and water tariffs also increased, leading to agitations by a section of Ghanaians.

Mr Akufo-Addo during the 2016 campaign promised to scrap “killer and nuisance taxes” including the energy sector levies if voted as president.

To this end Mr Jinapor, speaking in an interview with Class News’ parliamentary correspondent Ekow Annan, said: “I think the NPP promised us that when they come to power we wouldn’t have load shedding. They were categorical about that. They also promised us that when they come they will scrap the energy sector levy and also scrap VAT on electricity. I’m told the Minister of Finance will be presenting the budget. If the Minister of Finance redeem the promise of the NPP by scrapping VAT and also scrapping the energy sector levy, I promise you I shall walk from here on my foot to the Flagstaff House to congratulate President Akufo-Addo,” he stated.

“Let them redeem their promises, I’m throwing a challenge. Let them redeem that promise and I shall walk from parliament barefooted to the Flagstaff House to congratulate President Akufo-Addo.”