By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, May 19, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus of the Energy Committee of Parliament has expressed concern over Ghana’s alleged power sector crisis, criticizing the Minister of Energy, Mr John Jinapor, for “panic-then-retreat” communication.
As a result, the Caucus demanded tangible actions to resolve the ongoing alleged issues plaguing the sector.
“We demand action and results from the Minister of Energy and the government. It is time to stop the talking and put the lights on,” Mr George Kwame Aboagye, the Ranking on the Energy Committee of Parliament said on Monday during a Press Conference in Parliament House.
The Caucus also made key demands which included the fixing of alleged fuel supply issues to ensure stable fuel supply for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), renegotiate alleged burdensome “take-or-pay” contracts, improve efficiency to set KPIs for Electricity Company of Ghana and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) to reduce operational and distribution losses.
” We also call for the diversification of energy mix to optimize renewables and gas to reduce reliance on imported fuels as well as smart metering to accelerate roll-out to curb theft and increase revenue mobilization,” Mr Abogye said.
The Minority Caucus also criticized the Minister’s recent statements, which allegedly claimed Ghana had only “2.6 days of fuel left,” as “baseless and economically damaging.”
Mr Aboagye, also the NPP Member of Parliament for Asene-Akroso-Manso, urged the government to prioritize action over rhetoric and address the sector’s financial challenges.
“The patience of Ghanaians is wearing thin, and the economy is suffering. The Minority Caucus’ call to action emphasizes the need for immediate solutions to Ghana’s power crisis. “Enough is enough,” the Ranking on the Energy Committee of Parliament said.
Ghana’s power sector faces significant challenges, including an alleged $1.7 billion debt owed to IPPs, alleged over 35 per cent transmission and distribution losses and alleged frequent power outages (dumsor) affecting businesses and economy.
GNA
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