The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over the recent resurgence of load shedding in Ghana, blaming the government’s questionable contracts with the Ghana Gas Company.
The minority caucus has accused the government of attempting to force the Chief Executive of Ghana Gas Company to execute a contract that benefits politicians’ selfish interests.
During a press interaction, John Jinapor, the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee of Parliament, raised concerns over the power deficit of over 500 megawatts recorded on Tuesday, which has led to load shedding popularly known as dumsor.
He warned that the government’s dubious contracts have caused this crisis, and urged the Ghana Gas Company to resist being used for political gain.
Jinapor stated that Tullow Ghana has not been paid for its gas supply to Ghana Gas for the past nine months and is threatening to curtail its supply.
Additionally, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance intending to halt power supply due to debt and liabilities worth 1.2 billion dollars.
The ECG alone, he said, has incurred a debt of 10 billion cedis in its latest financial statement.
The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to take immediate action to address the power crisis and ensure that electricity is distributed fairly to all Ghanaians.
He said, “It’s obvious that this government is realising that they are on the verge of losing the election and with just about two months to leave office, they are determined to use whatever means possible to compel the Chief Executive to execute this contract.
“On behalf of the Minority, on behalf of the NDC, let me send a very stern and firm warning to the Chief Executive of Ghana Gas company, don’t allow yourself for politicians to use you for their selfish parochial interest and games.”
He added, “Because of such dubious contracts, as we speak today, there is load shedding ongoing. GRIDco has been cautioned not to inform customers. Yesterday, there was a deficit of more than 500 megawatts. Today, there are going to shed load and customers in Ghana will be affected. Tullow Ghana has not been paid even a dollar for the past nine months for gas supply to Ghana Gas and Tullow is threatening to curtail supply of gas.
“The IPPs have just dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Finance intending to halt the supply of power for debt and liabilities, hovering around 1.2 billion dollars. ECG alone incurred a debt of 10 billion cedis in their latest financial statement.”
