Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has criticized the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for awarding contracts for materials that it was unable to clear from the port. He described this situation as irrational and a sign of poor procurement practices. An investigative report showed that despite facing financial challenges, ECG contracted two firms to clear the containers, with one of the firms having pre-financed the materials.
Additionally, over 1,300 ECG-owned containers at the Tema Port remain unaccounted for, and the company’s procurement directorate has been controversially merged with its Housing and Estate unit. Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Tuesday, Jinapor criticized ECG’s handling of the issue.
“What even worsens the situation: ECG had about 1,000 containers they couldn’t clear. They didn’t have money to clear the containers, and yet they awarded new contracts on the same materials,” he stated. “So, for instance, you have cables at the port, you claim you don’t have money to clear the containers at the port, and yet you are awarding contracts for the same cables that you claim you cannot clear at the port. It makes no sense.”
Jinapor also raised concerns over ECG’s restructuring of its procurement operations, which he believes compromises effective oversight and management. “Then they decide that they will merge the whole procurement directorate and the estate department, kick out the procurement director, and put the estate department manager as head of estate and procurement,” he added.
By: Abigail Arthur