The Minority spokesperson on Energy and Mines in Parliament, Adam Mutawakilu has defended the decision by the erstwhile John Mahama government to sign power agreements exceeding current demand of power in Ghana.
He explained that, the vision of the then government was to ensure universal access to electricity through the rural electrification policy before 2020 and also enable the state export power to neighboring countries.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta whiles delivering the Mid-Year budget in Parliament said the energy sector is facing grave financial challenging owing to the obnoxious take-or-pay contracts signed by the erstwhile NDC government.
But responding to the Finance Minister claims on Diamond Power drive, the Damongo lawmaker said Nana Addo’s government is being lazy in connecting more communities to use the excess capacity.
In addition to that, Adam Mutawakilu believes the NPP’s promise of one-village one-factory will rely on power supply to operate.
The Minority spokesperson on Energy Adam Mutawakilu also claimed government is not been truthful with Ghanaians regarding figures on the excess capacity and should stop using the energy sector for cheap propaganda.
He said the excess capacity currently is about1,353 MegaWatts and not 2, 300MegaWatts as claimed by the Finance Minister during the Mid-Year budget review in Parliament.
Adam Mutawakilu said there was no need for government to renegotiate the contracts, but rather should follow religiously the energy sector plan of the John Mahama led government.
Source: Diamonfmonline.com/ Ken Zure
