Bright Simons is insisting Strategic Mobilisation Limited did not contribute to any gains in consumption volumes of petroleum as put out by the KPMG report.
The Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa says the concerned Civil Society Organisations have made available, multiple petroleum economists who will work without fee to prove to the government that the allusions being made in the report to SML regarding gains are not factual.
In a post made on his social media Wednesday, April 24, 2024, following a release from the presidency highlighting the findings of the report, KPMG’s recommendations and the President’s directives to the GRA and Ministry of Finance, Mr. Simons noted that it is good the President has accepted certain ills in the contract contained in the report, it is also worthy of note that certain elements of the report were quite disappointing.
“However, we are seriously disappointed by a number of elements of the President’s “whitepaper”. We insist on seeing the full KPMG report. We dispute their apparent claim that any increase in petroleum consumption in Ghana should be attributed to SML. We demand an open forum to show that the weight of expert opinion in Ghana is against any such flawed reasoning,” he noted.
He expressed their readiness to ensure the misinformation about SML making positive impact in Ghana’s oil revenue sector is corrected.
“Multiple petroleum economists are on standby to prove that no gains in consumption volume can be attributed to SML’s work. We also have tax specialists on standby to prove that no tax gains due to SML’s work can be ascertained to have occurred,” he said.
He added that “the needs assessment mentioned by the President must be concluded before SML or any other company receives a pesewa more of Ghana’s money. Civil Society activists in the energy sector have lined up a long list of specialists willing to support a value for money and needs assessment pro bono.
“We are thus challenging the President to accept this patriotic offer. Not one pesewa more of Ghana’s money should go to SML or any other company until such an open, transparent, rigorous, and meritocratic process has been completed.” the writeup contained.
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