Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has dismissed claims by the Minority Group in Parliament that the Government is spending US$35 million on the planned relocation of the Ameri Power plant to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Minister, no contract has been signed by the government yet and this, according to him, is contrary to the claims by the Minority Group.
He explained that if the government signed a contract for the relocation of the plant, it would send it to Parliament for scrutiny and approval.
The Government of Ghana, last year, announced its decision to relocate the Ameri Power Plant to the Ashanti Region to help stabilise the country’s national electricity grid.
Commenting on the relocation of the Ameri Plant in an interview with a section of the Ghanaian media, Ranking Member on Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for the Yapei Kusawgu Constituency, John Jinapor, served notice to the government that the Minority would continue to resist the deal.
“They confirmed that they had entered into an agreement with Mytilineos company for pre-financing. The project will cost about $35 million. And they have even forwarded the contract to the Attorney-General so they can execute the contract.
“More importantly, this company is an international company, and by Article 181(5) of the Constitution, such international agreements must even be brought to Parliament. This Nicodemus attempt to sign this contract will not be countenanced,” he added.
However, answering questions on the proposed plan in Parliament, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh said “no contract has yet been signed with Mytilineos SA.”
The Minister said Volta River Authority (VRA) is currently engaged in negotiations with Mytilineos towards a contract for the relocation of the Ameri Power Plant from Aboadze, Western Region, to Kumasi.
He said it would be premature to put out any figure as negotiations are still ongoing.
“The Ministry is providing the necessary support and guidance to the VRA to ensure that the interest of the Republic of Ghana is upheld in this particular negotiation.
“In line with the dictates of transparency, accountability and good governance, we shall ensure value for money and seek all requisite and statutory approvals to achieve the government’s objective of improving power supply in the middle and northern sectors of the country,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com