Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has accused the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of mismanaging the energy sector, warning that Ghana’s planned 24-hour economy cannot begin until the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is stabilised.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday November 27, Ayariga cited failures in the Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2, claiming the mismanagement led to a US$190 million loss.
He also pointed to the findings of a recent ECG container holdup investigation, which revealed demurrage charges of over GH¢909 million at the port, as well as irregularities in contract awards.
The Bawku Central MP Contracts worth GH¢159 million were cleared improperly, including GH¢127.6 million awarded to a company without customs house agent registration, he said. Deviations between budgeted and actual procurement costs were also highlighted.
The Majority Leader told the house “They mismanaged the Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2 and in the process they caused this country and we lost $190million. Mr Speaker by giving the distribution to a certain PDS which went and forged records in providing a payment guarantee.
“This is the record of the NPP in the management of the Energy sector…The situation at ECG is in the budget. Mr speaker the recent container holdup investigations report of the ECG reveals the mess at the ECG. Due to your negligence, demurrage of over GHS909million was incurred at the port.
“Mr Speaker corruption was at its height. Clearing contracts to the tune of GHS159million was awarded. Mr Speaker GHS127.6million contract was awarded to a company which did not have customs house agent registration.
“Mr Speaker there was massive deviations in budget for procurements vis a vis actual procurements…You stand here and you ask when is 24 hour economy starting. 24-Hour economy will start when we have cleared the mess at ECG and we have created a 24 hour energy system.”
Source: citinewsroom.com