Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Security (IES), has urged the government to take immediate action to prevent a looming power shutdown as three major power plants face imminent closure over unpaid debts.
The concern arises from a $259 million debt owed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which the government has failed to settle. This was disclosed by the CEO of the Independent Power Producers (IPP), Dr. Elikplim Apetorgbor, in an interview with Citi Business News on Tuesday, November 19.
Dr. Apetorgbor’s revelation comes in the wake of President Akufo-Addo’s inauguration of the Bridge Power Project, designed to address energy shortfalls in Ghana’s power sector.
“I can confirm that all is not well. If there is no intervention before Friday, I can tell you that by Monday three key power plants will be off the grids. It is a serious matter; it is not fun. We have received these assurances severally so this can’t sway us. We are resolute,” Dr Apetorgbor noted
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Wednesday, Nana Amoasi VII indicated that the government needed to take the matter seriously and act on it immediately.
“The bird whispered to us at the IES that they intend to take such a step. There is a fear that if they don’t act now, they won’t have the leverage or that audacity to convince the next government to pay them, and so they are venting out their frustration.
“I believe that they will make do their word judging from where Asogli took us from. We never believed that any IPP would shut down for the second time. Asogli did as of the 8th of October.
“…We believe strongly that they will make do their word and that government must take them seriously and act now to avert any [power shutdown],” he stressed.
By: Abigail Arthur
