John-Peter Amewu, Energy Minister
The Ministry of Energy has refuted claims by the Institute Energy Security (IES) that it has been peddling lies and falsehood in relation to the recent act of vandalism on some of the power sector installations in the Tema enclave.
The IES, in a statement signed by the Executive Director Paa Kwasi Anamua Sakyi, accused the Ministry of Energy of creating fear and panic by alleging that the pipelines which were torched in Tema by some unsuspected arsonists belonged to the Volta River Authority (VRA), which turned out that the pipelines belonged to private company Cirrus Oil Services Limited and was only filled with raw water.
“The IES finds the posture of Mr Damoah akin to that of the Minister in charge of the Energy Ministry Mr Peter Amewu, who last sought to suggest political sabotage into the hacking down of GRIDCo’s Transmission tower in Tema, even before state security institutions could collect evidence and start investigation into the matter,” the IES said.
However, a statement signed by the Head of Communication of the Ministry of Energy, Nana Kofi Damoah, wondered why IES would come to that conclusion without conducting proper checks about the statement he made in respect to the burning of the pipelines.
“I never said anywhere that the pipelines in question belong to the VRA. I will be happy for the IES to prove this allegation if they can,” he said.
“I did not state that the pipelines are gas pipelines. Again, proof of this will be appreciated if it is claimed I did. I said they were fuel pipelines and this is a fact that remains till today. Unless the IES wants to suggest that the only fuel in the world is gas, an explanation for this distortion is needed,” he added.
Below is the full statement
I choose to believe that the publication by the IES was done in error and that they did not do the usual checks they ought to have done before this publication. What is obvious is that some distortions have been created and they have gone ahead to draw conclusions based on these distortions. May I please take this opportunity to point out a few of these distortions:
1. I never said anywhere that the pipelines in question belong to the VRA. I will be happy for the IES to prove this allegation if they can.
2. I did not state that the pipelines are gas pipelines. Again proof of this will be appreciated if it is claimed I did. I said they were fuel pipelines and this is a fact that remains till today. Unless the IES wants to suggest that the only fuel in the world is gas, an explanation for this distortion is needed.
Aside the fact that the pipeline itself was torched by placing burning tyres on them, directly overhead are GRIDCO lines which could have been affected by the fire, had it not been for the vigilance of the security teams in the area. If raising alarm over such conduct is crying wolf, then I am guilty of crying wolf.
I personally consider this intervention by the Think Tank as unfortunate as it only serves to obfuscate matters when we are seeking to rally Ghanaians to expose the actions of persons who seek to destroy critical infrastructure. I find it extremely disingenuous that at such a time as this, an attempt is being made to shift the focus of the discussion from the ongoing investigations. Worse of all is the fact that this intervention is based on distortions.
I believe an official response will be out soon.
Yours in the service of Ghana
Nana Damoah.
