MP for DBI drags Energy Minister to Parliament over abandoned Electrification Projects
Dr Sebastian Ngmenenso Sandaare, the Member of Parliament for Daffiama/Bussie/Issa, has summoned the Minister for Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempreh to parliament, over the abandoned works on the rural electrification projects in the constituency.
According to him, the project which is expected to illuminate the communities to ward of criminals who hide in darkness to launch their nefarious activities have been abandoned.
Dr Sandaare disclosed this to EXPRESSNEWSGHANA after he has dragged the Minister for Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempreh to parliament Thursday, November 11, 2021.
“Mr Speaker, I rise to ask the Minister for Energy when works to extend electricity to the following communities will be completed: (i) Dakyie (ii) Toyenpari (iii) Kamahegu (iv) Banonyiri.?” the lawmaker quizzed the Energy Minister.
In response, the sector Minister, Mathew Prempreh said the Dakyie, Toyenpari, Kamahegu and Banonyiri communities form part of the Ministry of Energy’s ongoing Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP-5) in the Daffiama/Bussie/Issa District of the Upper West Region.
According to him, “a total of 530 no. High Voltage (HV) poles required for the communities have been supplied and planted. HV installation works have been completed at Dakyie, Toyenpari and Banonyiri communities.”
The Minister further explained that “Most of the pole-top accessories for Kamahegu community have been supplied but stringing is yet to commence. 285 no. of the required Low Voltage (LV) poles for the project have been supplied and planted in the Dakyie, Toyenpari and Banonyiri communities.”
Mr Speaker, “Stringing of conductors have been completed in the Banonyiri community. LV poles for Kamahegu community and a full complement of pole-top accessories to allow for the execution of the outstanding LV installation works in Dakyie and Toyenpari are yet to be supplied.
The delays in the execution of projects, Dr Prempreh said are a result of the shortage of some key materials/equipment including stay equipment, stay wooden blocks, LV poles, among others.
However, he said the Ministry has taken delivery of some of the materials/equipment and would soon arrange for the release of same for installation works to resume at site.
The projects, he added Ministry expect to complete the installation works in Dakyie and Toyenpari communities before the end of the year, whiles works in Kamahegu and Banonyiri have been scheduled for completion by end of the first quarter, 2022.
But Dr Sandaare said the absence of power supply to the communities is affecting the local economy and health issues.
He noted that, despite the national penetration of electricity supply to at about 86.24 per cent, many rural communities, including the five farming communities within his constituency still not connected to the national grid.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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