The Omanhene of Ogua Traditional Area, Osabirima Kwesi Atta II, has called on the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) to seek the prosecution of those who violate the petroleum revenue regulations, in order to ensure judicious use of the country’s oil money.
While he observed that the Committee’s work continues to deepen transparency in the use of the oil money, he noted that PIAC’s inability to prosecute people who misuse oil revenues weakens accountability.
He said to a greater extent this provides an escape route for those who are entrusted with the oil monies for development, to get away upon acting contrary to the established petroleum revenue regulations.
Osabirima Kwesi Atta II, who is a former member of the Committee which is mandated to evaluate and monitor the use of petroleum revenues, urged that PIAC should go a step further to ensure its work deters people from abusing the oil revenues.
The Oguamanhene made these pronouncements when members of the committee paid a courtesy call on him, at the Emintsimadze Palace, in Cape Coast. The visit forms part of PIAC’s routine district engagement and oil-funded project inspections across various regions of the country.
Members of the committee, led by the Vice-Chairman, Dr. Thomas Kojo Stevens, assured the Oguamanhene of their commitment and preparedness to ensure that all legal avenues are explored to bring transparency and accountability in the use of the oil revenues.