KAMPALA– Kalungu East Legislator, Joseph Ssewungu Gonzaga has criticised Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and his counterpart of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa for failure to appear before the committee and explain why government is doing nothing about the escalating fuel prices in the country.
Ssewungu who is also the Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee, looked disappointed as he said it was the second time that the Minister of Finance and that of Energy failed to appear before the committee on the same matter of the escalating fuel prices that have forced some Ugandans to park their vehicles at home and garages.
The parliamentary committee was expecting to meet officials from the two ministries and Uganda National Oil Company[UNOC] to discuss the issue of fuel prices but only UNOC officials showed up which prompted the chairperson of the committee to send them away until the substantial ministers appear.
Ssewungu said government promised to make oil reserves at Jinja operational, which he said is the only sustainable solution to the escalating prices of fuel in the country.
”UNOC and the Energy Ministry have written several letters to Finance Ministry asking for funding so that the country can have enough fuel in reserves,” Ssewungu said, adding that it was important for both ministers to tell the country about the states of the country’s fuel reserves.
Ssewungu decried the escalation in the pump prices which he said have hit a record Shs 6900 yet the responsible government ministries cannot generate a sustainable solution.
”We have enough powers to force these people [Kasaija and Nankabirwa] to appear, if they fail, I will invoke police to summon them here. This committee will not proceed without the full ministers.”
The Committee resolved to send back technocrats from UNOC and those from the Ministry of Energy, stating that ministers Kasaija and Nankabiwra must appear in person.
https://thecooperator.news/finance-minister-kasaija-snubs-cosase-summoned/
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