Akufo-Addo promised production but is now an expert in taxation – Sammy Gyamfi
Addressing the media at the National Democratic Congress party headquarters, the National Communication Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi revealed that the government extended the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA), from its intended time frame of 5 years at the time of its implementation in 2015 to 15 years.
According to him, the current government has been engaged in excess taxation and now punitive taxation. He noted that government has collateralized ESLA for a loan which has extended the duration of the tax from its original duration of five (5) years to 15 years, that is until 2035 when it can be scrapped.
“One of the taxes on fuel which the NPP while in opposition vehemently opposed and promised to scrap if elected, Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) which was introduced by the erstwhile NDC/Mahama government in the year 2015 to clear legacy debts that were crippling the energy sector. Instead of scrapping this tax as promised, the tax was increased by about 30% between the period of 2017-2020 by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. To add insult to injury, this government has collateralized ESLA for a loan which has extended the duration of the tax from its original duration of five (5) years to 15 years, that is until 2035,” the communication officer said.
He also emphasized that “the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government only last year, introduced a new Energy Sector Levy of 20 pesewas on every litre of petrol and diesel, and a new Energy Sector Levy of 18 pesewas per kilogram of LPG. Here again, we submit that the imposition of these so-called Energy-Sector levies on Ghanaians in this time of extreme economic hardships is callous and totally unacceptable”.
By: Agaatorne Douglas Asaah | myactiveonline.com
