Economic Policy Advisor to the Office of the Vice-President, Dr Sharif Mahmud Khalid, has stated that the government decision to scrap fuel allowances for political appointees could save the country some GH¢121 million in four years.
According to Dr Sharif Mahmud Khalid, the savings on the scrap fuel allowance could fund health and education projects.
Dr Sharif Mahmud Khalid emphasised that these are just his rough estimates using 1,000 government vehicles.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dr. Sharif Mahmud Khalid, “Probably about a total of 2.5 million plus a month and 30 million plus a year. The fleet could be more than 1,000, but I’m just using 1,000 as a benchmark figure here to see what we could accumulate. GH¢121 plus million in four years,”
“If you look at these figures of four years, we’re probably talking about, let’s say, a maternity block for a hospital or clinic costs probably about GH¢1.5 million… we could probably get an average of 81 of them out of the savings,” he said.
“That is, if you use 1,000 fleets, 500 being saloon, 500 being 4×4… So there’s some real justification to what it is,” he said.
He added, “This is what I did in the studio, using GOIL’s figures… I’m sure subsequently, the President and the government communication machinery will be coming out to say, this is what we’ll use the money for.”
Meanwhile, Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has fired shots at the Mahama government’s decision to scrap fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees.
According to Sammi Awuku, the decision to scrap the fuel allowances is a PR gimmick and settings.
Sammi Awuku further noted that more clarity is needed concerning the scrapping of the fuel allowances.
Speaking in parliament, Sammi Awuku dared President Mahama to prove his seriousness by shutting down fuel vending points at the Jubilee House and Osu Castle.
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