Zabzugu MP Pushes for Urgent Electricity Connection to Five Communities under Cost-Sharing Scheme
The Member of Parliament for Zabzugu, Alhassan Umar, is pushing for the urgent extension of electricity to five communities in the constituency through the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition’s cost-sharing programme, following concerns over their exclusion from ongoing rural electrification projects.
The MP made the move after the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, informed Parliament that 12 communities in the Zabzugu Constituency were not captured under any of the Ministry’s ongoing electrification projects.
The communities are Wagado, Zagyuri, Dibol, Jaukiw, Nandabiya, Kpajodo, Chasindo, Okudo, Nogmado, Lagban-Yapala, Nyakpala No. 1 and Kalegu Naa Mahami.
Responding to a parliamentary question filed by Mr Umar, the Deputy Minister explained that although the Ministry had conducted an assessment to establish the materials required and the estimated cost of extending electricity to the communities, implementation would depend on the availability of funds.
He said the communities would be considered under the next phase of the rural electrification programme when funding became available.
However, speaking to ExpressNews after the proceedings in Parliament, the Zabzugu MP disclosed that he had already taken steps to secure electricity for five of the affected communities through the Ministry’s cost-sharing arrangement.
In a formal request to the Ministry, Mr Umar appealed for approval to connect Okudo, Lagban-Yapala Marakas, Kalegu, Naa Mahami and Jatodo to the national electricity grid.
The MP indicated his readiness to contribute part of his share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) towards the project to complement the Ministry’s financial commitment.
“I wish to request for your consideration and approval of connecting the following communities to the national grid on your cost-sharing programme under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition,” he stated in his letter.
He further disclosed that the communities had already undergone a technical assessment conducted by Ing. Emmanuel Lawson, one of the engineering consultants to the Ministry, with the survey report attached to his request for consideration.
“I would be using part of my share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to fund the remainder of the cost by the Ministry,” Mr Umar stated.
The MP’s intervention is aimed at accelerating electricity access to the five communities rather than allowing residents to wait indefinitely for the next phase of the national rural electrification programme.
He expressed hope that the Ministry would give favourable consideration to the request to enable the affected communities to benefit from electricity supply.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/ expressnewsghana.com
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