The Minority leader of Parliament has expressed his dissatisfaction with government’s new 400 megawatts power plant deal awaiting the House approval. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu says the plant deal estimated to cost the nation $985 million is an attempt by the Mahama-led government to dupe the people of Ghana. “It is only in Ghana where generating 400 megawatts of electricity exceeds $600 million and in this case $953 million. What kind of mortal wound can we inflict on fellow Ghanaians?” he asked. Mr Bonsu, who is also the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region, disclosed this to Joynews over the weekend.
The new power plant agreement:
Government is seeking to enter a gas-turbine-power-plant agreement with Early Power Limited to add about 400 megawatts of energy to the nation’s ailing power sector. The project will cost Ghanaians near $1 billion. Even though government is optimistic the new deal will help salvage the resurgent power crisis popularly called “Dumsor” in the country, some energy experts say the cost for the 400 megawatts of energy is on the high side. They say the convention the world over is that no nation pays more than $600 million for 400 megawatts of energy.
Government’s argument:
The government has argued out strongly that the agreement, unlike previously entered ones, puts the responsibility for the gas acquisition on the second party. Government will shoulder no other responsibility apart from ensuring that the plant is properly positioned and functioning to the satisfaction of the country.
Minority leader:
Although he believes Ghanaians deserve a respite from the ongoing load-shedding in the country, Mr Bonsu says the cost is too much considering international standards. If government fails to heed calls to renegotiate the price Ghanaians will ultimately bear the brunt, he said. He stated: “It is one of the reasons why we are paying so much high tariffs for electricity generated in the country.”
New Businesses?
The Minority leader says the management of the power sector of the country has given shape to a new form of business. According to him, companies that came to Ghana to do business in areas other than the energy sector are now “rushing into power supply” because they what they stand to gain due to government’s mismanagement of the sector. This, he believes is the doing of President Mahama who “seemed to think the end justifies the means.” He does not care the consequences his actions bring on Ghanaians so long as he is able to supply electricity all forms of complaints will quiet down, he added.
Source: Myjoyonline
