Gold for oil deal: Reduction in price was not seen at pumps, it was a pilot exercise – Twum Barima
A member on Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, Paul Twum Barima says drivers did not experience a significant reduction in price at the pumps from the gold for oil deal because it was a pilot exercise.
According to him, the first consignment from the deal was in small quantity, hence there was not much change in fuel prices.
“We need to appreciate it was on a pilot basis. Clearly, the magnitude of it or the number was not that much,” he said.
Speaking with JoyNews on Tuesday Mr Twum Barima explained that larger quantities of fuel are on the way which will significantly cause a reduction in fuel prices at the pumps.
“I know one or two Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) who really did reduce their prices marginally, but what we need to do is to see how going forward, we can get it in large quantities that is if we are able to go through the process well and get it right, we should be able to get it in large quantities then it can reflect effectively on the price,” he said.
He assured Ghanaians to expect the next consignment to be in large quantities which would reduce the prices at the pumps.
“Clearly, it was a pilot so let’s look at going forward, how we can be able to maximise the numbers and these will reflect on the market.”
Although the first consignment of oil under the deal arrived in Ghana in January, drivers and commuters questioned why fuel prices are being sold at high prices.
In response, the Dormaa East MP said it is clear many people did not understand the details of the deal, hence government is taking steps to begin the engagement to help the ordinary Ghanaian understand.
“We need to up our engagement processes so that we will be able to get the people to understand what the gold for oil process is about,” he said.
Touching on allegations that the deal is to enrich some people in government, he said such claims are unfounded.
“No government official or any politician want to use this means to enrich himself or his family or anything, not at all,” he added.
Source: Ghana News
