Fuel hike violated law, BERA says
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday October 16, 2018 14:42
Appearing before parliament’s Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises Committee earlier this morning, BERA chair, Bernard Ndove revealed that the parastatal had actually recommended that petrol should be increased by P1.14 per litre.
On Friday, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security increased retail prices for all petrol grades by 65 thebe per litre, diesel by 73 thebe per litre and paraffin by 63 thebe.
Ndovi said central government often brushed aside BERA, which by law is supposed to make recommendations to the Ministry on fuel price reviews and then announce the changes.
“We were surprised when they made the announcement. We have however raised the matter with the Ministry and are still waiting to get answers from them regarding this breach of the Act,” he said.
Ndovi said the trend of violations had been taking place for sometime.
“This has not been happening as we have been making recommendations to the Ministry as per the BERA Act. However they have been announcing the developments on our behalf breaching the Act,” he said.
According to the BERA Act, the parastatal is empowered to regulate tariffs of regulated entities under Section 6 (a). The entities include those in the oil sector and the Botswana Power Corporation.