Accra, June 8, GNA - Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Energy on Friday sent cold shivers down the spine of certain communities when he said they either do not form part of on-going electrification projects or may have to re-apply for consideration under the Self Help Electrification Project scheme.
Answering questions from members from Amenfi-West, Yilo Krobo, Jaman North, Binduri and Anlo, the Energy Minister said Yilo Krobo District in the Eastern Region, Jaman North and Amenfi West would benefit from the scheme.
This raised much concern from Members who pleaded with the Energy Minister to consider including their areas in the project. To Mr John Gyentuah, NDC- Amenfi West's question on what plans the Ministry has to establish a sub station that would serve Amenfi West and East and Aowin Suaman, the Minister said the Electricity Company of Ghana, under whose jurisdiction the district falls does not intend to build a new sub station or another bulk supply point in the Amenfi Area. He however, said they intend to build a 33kV switching station at the Bogoso Bulk Supply Point.
"This will allow the separation of the three main 33kV outgoing feeders that are at present bunched together. This will also ensure that faults on a particular feeder affect only the customers on that particular line instead of the present situation whereby a fault affects the whole area."
He gave the secondary automation system on the Bogosoi-Asankragwa-Enchi 33kV feeder that allows remote switching to isolate faulty portions of the line at Bogoso.
Mr Adda said the physical installation of secondary equipment is completed, leaving only the mounting of communication antennae. Under the SHEP-4 programme, Mr Adda said selected communities in the Yilo Krobo District of the Eastern Region have been earmarked for connection to the national grid.
He was answering a question in the name of Mr Raymond Tawia, NDC-Yilo Krobo, which sought to find out when the rural areas in the Yilo Krobo District would be provided with electricity. The Minister however, noted that: "the communities in the Yilo Krobo District do not form part of the ongoing SHEP-4 Phase1 project." He noted that they would be connected in subsequent phases of the SHEP-4 programme in line with the implementation schedule and the availability of funding.
When Mr Alex Asum-Ahensah, NDC-Jaman North asked when Ponkor, Nsonsomea, Kokosua Numbers One and Two, Febi and Kaale, communities would be connected to the national grid, the Energy Minister said they do not form part of on-going SHEP-4 phase one project.
"The communities would be connected in the subsequent phases of the programme in line with the implementation schedule and the availability of funding," he added.
On when Kabile, Jamara, Bonakire, Adadiem and Jinini would be connected, Mr Adda said they would be connected when there is funding, arguing that, they do not forom part of the on-going SHEP-4 phase one project.
The concerns of MP's from Jaman North, Binduri and Anlo received the same responses with Mr. Adda saying that they would be considered when there is funding and areas in the Binduri and Anlo areas should apply for consideration under SHEP if they meet the eligibility criteria. The House deferred the half-hour motion filed by Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, NDC-Tamale South, Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, NDC -Abokobi Madina and Dr. Kwame Ampofo, NDC- South Dayi, which sought to find what effective programme government has to address the current energy crisis. 08 June 07
