MDAs directed to reduce fuel usage

Page 3: Daily Graphic, June 8, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE government has announced fuel saving measures by all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) following the 30 per cent price increase in petroleum products at the weekend.
The measures are geared towards reducing government expenditure on fuel for ministers and other officials by 30 per cent.
The Information Minister, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, told the Daily Graphic last Friday that as part of the measures, all government vehicles were to be re-branded in the names of the designated MDAs to check their indiscriminate use.
She said there was evidence of some government and public officials who used state vehicles for funerals and commercial purposes, at the expense of the taxpayer.
She said with the new policy of re-branding the vehicles, it would be difficult for anybody to use state vehicles for such purposes.
In line with that, Mrs Okaikoi said the number plates of government vehicles would revert to GV registration, a policy which was in place until it was relaxed some years back.
The Information Minister said the policy would also include a reduction in the volume of fuel allocated to various MDAs, including ministers who draw fuel from government depots.
The National Petroleum Authority last Friday announced a 30 per cent upward adjustment in petroleum prices.
Following the price hikes, a litre of petrol that sold at 85.7Gp now costs GH¢1.11. Diesel is also up from 86.2Gp to GH¢1.12; kerosene from 66.5Gp to 86.45Gp and LPG now goes for 79.82Gp from the previous 61.4Gp.