A member of the communications team of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Samuel Nartey George has called on the government of President John Mahama to abolish free fuel for its functionaries and top public servants.
According to him, such a bold decision by President John Mahama will go a long way to ensure drastic reduction in government spending and ensure equitable distribution of the nation�s resources among Ghanaians.
Speaking in an interview with The Finder newspaper shortly before the official announcement of fuel price increases over the weekend, the outspoken young politician said: �It�s way overtime that government walk the talk. It is unfair for the state to provide free fuel for ministers and top public servants who are residing in government bungalows in Cantonments and are driving official vehicles to the Ministries whereas the kelewele seller would have to pay for her transport before going to work.�
Mr. George said the government gives between GH�200 and GH�300 worth of coupons to ministers and chief directors weekly as fuel allowance to travel from their homes to the offices.
�I work closely with the system and I know what pertains in the system. I don�t have a problem if a minister is going to do an out-of-station job, let�s say, to inspect or commission ongoing projects in the Eastern or Western Region; then it is reasonable for him or her to be given fuel.�
Incidentally, a number of traders and other self-employed persons interviewed by 'The Finder' after the announced increases also accused the country�s politicians of being insensitive to their plight.
They questioned the basis for the increment in fuel prices, claiming that politicians misused fuel and other state resources.
�The president uses a lot of cars; his ministers also use different cars for different purposes, all to the benefit of their families. And they care less about us down here,� said Joana Arhin, who sells at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
�Today, ministers have their own cars; their wives drive different cars and their children are also driven in different cars and it is interesting that we have to pay for the fuel their cars consume,� she said.
A taxi driver told 'The Finder' that it was unfortunate that those who were responsible or canvassing for the fuel price increments were themselves paying very little or nothing at all for the commodity and yet they consume more than the poor.
�Apart from the fact that they have access to free fuel, they earn fat salaries. I mean they are paid far more than I�m paid so if they who are paid better tend to pay less of pay nothing at all, then it�s obviously not a fair deal,� he said.
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