Be transparent with oil bidding process – IPPR reminds government

The Institute of Public Policy Research(IPPR) is calling on the government to ensure that the bidding processes for the allocation of oil blocks in the petroleum sector is done in the full glare of the general public.

It also commended government for seeing through to a successful end, the maritime tussle between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire by the previous administration complying, further urged government to ensure that the bidding process is fair to all.

“The Institute of Public Policy Research however calls on government to maximise full returns in the ‘open and transparent’ bidding process as the country holds a competitive advantage in these negotiations,” IPPR stated in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Eugene B.G Bawelle on Tuesday.

The IPPR also tasked government to ensure that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, (GNPC) which has been awarded one block out of the total six oil streams in the country offers value for money.

“IPPR believes that the time has come for the entire activities of GNPC to be rigorously subjected to proper value for money scrutiny.”

“GNPC needs to be more accountable to the people of Ghana than it currently is. The use of proceeds from our oil resources by the State Institution should bring value to the people of Ghana,” the statement said.

In the statement, the Institute questioned government on whether or not an enabling environment has been created for the adoption of local content within the petroleum sector.

It also cautioned government not to capitalize on the local content participation to select party faithfuls without proper scrutiny.

The Institute also underscored the need for government to put a plan in place to make sure that Ghanaians do not front for foreign companies in the allocation of the 5% indigenous content.