The Energy Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has said US company, Balkan Energy, would be held responsible if the Osagyefo Barge is found to have deteriorated.
“Let me make it clear. Balkan can no longer hold this country hostage. We are going to take these steps and determine the exact condition of this barge. If it is determined that Balkan has damaged the Barge in any way, they will be held to account,” Mr. Buah told Joy News’ Kweku Owusu Peprah.
According to him, an independent auditing firm would be consulted to ascertain the condition of the Barge after which an action would be taken against Balkan if the firm confirms the Barge is in poor state.
Without a technical eye, Joy News’ Kweku Owusu Peprah reported that the whole plant is in a sorry state after it was left at the mercy of the weather Anchor.
The government of Ghana and Balkan Energy have been in a protracted legal tussle over the Osagyefo Barge at Efasu after the government abrogated a contract to have the US firm manage the Barge that was to produce 125 megawatts of power to the country.
The tussle ended up at the Court of Arbitration with a-12-million dollar damages awarded against Ghana.
The court, however, handed over the Barge to the government of Ghana.
To restore the plant, government would have to embark on extensive rust control in order to salvage the plant.
Energy Minister, Emmanuel Kofi Buah and the Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, who were in Efasu, Tuesday, April 8, to take over the plant for and on behalf of the people of Ghana, have recommended an audit to be conducted on the Barge to enable government take a decision on what use to put the plant.
Meanwhile, the Head of Power at the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Steven Doku said the power can be brought back into shape if the necessary investment is made on it.
He said depending on the funds available, the Barge can be put back in shape within six months to 12 months