Ghana’s Minister for Energy, John-Peter Amewu, has revealed that the West African nation spent GH¢64.5 million fixing and maintaining streetlights in 2018 and 2019.
He said, although over GH¢273 million was collected for the Public Lighting Levy between 2018 and 2019, only GH¢64 million was transferred to the Ministry for the purpose of fixing and maintaining streetlights.
This amount was collected by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) as indicated in the Energy Sector Amendment Act.
Mr Amewu was responding to questions by the Adaklu Member of Parliament (MP), Kwame Agbodza Governs, on how much the country had collected by the Ministry in relation to streetlights and the fraction utilised in 2018 and 2019.
Speaking on the Floor Thursday, Mr Amewu explained: “A total of GH ¢273,876,832.16 was collected over the period.”
Out of this amount, he revealed that GH¢83 million was transferred to the Ministry of Energy but not all the funds were utilised.
“Whilst a total amount of GH ¢83,235,728.49 was transferred to the Ministry of Energy, a total amount of GH ¢64,462,596.56 was utilised by the Ministry of Energy.”
Per the Energy Sector Levies Act 2017, three percent per kWh of electricity shall be charged on all categories of consumers as indicated in the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act 2017; (Act 946).
The levy is used to support payment of energy bills consumed by traffic lights, highways, maintenance and investment of traffic lights and streetlights and public lights on highways by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
