MiDA to construct two Primary Substations to boost power supply

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Accra, Feb. 25, GNA
– The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), the entity mandated to implement
the Ghana Power Compact, says it will construct two primary substations in
Kanda and Legon to reduce technical losses at the Electricity Company of Ghana
(ECG).

The two projects
would provide reliable power supply to the University of Ghana Teaching
Hospital, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the 37 Military
Hospital and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, forms part of the
implementation of the Power Compact programme.

In this regard, a
kick-off meeting was held on February 20th and 21st, to
signify the readiness of all the parties including the Project Contractor,
Eiffage Ghana Ltd, towards the commencement of the Project.

Issues relating to
the Project were dispassionately discussed, including the implementation
timelines towards the realisation of the completion deadline of August 2021.

Some officials
present at the meeting included Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of MiDA, and Ms Elizabeth Feleke, Deputy Resident Country
Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), representatives of the
ECG, the Ghana Armed Forces and the University of Ghana, Legon (beneficiaries
of the two Substations), SMEC PTY, the Project Engineers, and other Project
Consultants.

In his opening
remarks, Mr Eson-Benjamin said the Primary Substations would fill the
infrastructure gap, which has been anticipated as the solution to the perennial
power supply challenges experienced by the beneficiary health facilities.

He said these
Primary Substation interventions could be perceived “as a health-driven
infrastructure initiative” and that the Substations are “critical assets in the
promotion of quality healthcare for Ghanaians”.

The 33/11kV Legon
Primary Substation will improve electricity supply to the University of Ghana
and its surrounding communities, especially to the newly constructed University
of Ghana Teaching Hospital and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical
Research.

The Kanda Primary
Substations will improve power supply to the 37 Military Hospital and Greater
Accra Regional Hospital upon completion.

The health
facilities and the neighbouring communities will experience significant
improvements in the quality of power supplied to institutions and homes.

Alongside the
Project, MiDA will construct a 16 unit three-bed Apartment Block at Kanda for
the Ghana Armed Forces.

This will provide
accommodation for persons to be affected by the construction of the Substation.

The Deputy RCD of
the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Ms Feleke, for her part, said the US
Government and Ghanaian authorities, providing funding for the primary
substations have huge expectations of the project.

The cost of the two
Substations is estimated at US$11.3 million and would be funded by Millennium
Challenge Corporation as part of the US$308 million Compact II funds provided
by the people and Government of the USA and the US$23.2 million Counterpart
funds by the Government of Ghana.

GNA