Accra, Jan. 29, GNA- Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the Minister of Energy, on Thursday said eight communities in the Nkwanta District of the Volta Region have been earmarked to be connected to the national grid under the Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP).
He said the communities would receive power in line with the implementation of the SHEP-4 programme when funding was secured. Dr. Nduom was answering a questioning in Parliament that stood in the name of Mr. Gershon Gbediame, NDC-Nkwanta as to when electricity from the national grid would be extend to Kpassa, Damanko, Bonakye, Keri, Odomi, Tutukpene Kacheibi and Odumase in the Nkwanta district. The Minister said Kpassa was currently enjoying solar electricity supply, adding that all "the solar systems in this community would therefore be retrieved and relocated to other remote areas in the region when the national grid was extended to the community."
Mr. Stephen Kwao, NDC-Upper Manya Krobo also wanted to find out when Akateng township in the Eastern Region would be connected to the national grid but Dr. Nduom said the Akateng community in the Manya Krobo district was currently not included under any of the on-going electrification programmes.
He however, said the "community may be considered under SHEP if it meets the eligibility requirements."
Answering another question from Alhaji Amadu Ali, NDC- Atebubu South on behalf of Alhaji Seidu Amadu, NDC Yapei-Kusawgu, as to when Buipe and Yapei would enjoy upgraded power, the Minister said the Yapei and Buipe communities were currently enjoying a three-phase power supply from the Volta River Authority's (VRA) 30kV shield-wire system.
He said this type of power supply was capable of meeting the normal power requirement especially for small-scale industries in the area. Mr. Albert Obbin, NPP-Prestea-Huni Valley, wanted to find out about steps the Ministry was taking to implement the decision to put the Prestea electrification project under a special project this year. Dr. Nduom said the Prestea and Hemang township were at present supplied with electricity by the Prestea Gold Resources Limited (PGR) through the VRA.
"The PGR has expressed the need to have the two township fed directly through the Electricity Company Ghana (ECG) network," he added. He said this project, which would cost about one million US dollars, would involve the construction of a new High Voltage and Low Voltage distribution system.
"A cost sharing arrangement is being finalised ...we have also requested the ECG and the VRA to provide an updated cost for the project in order to enable the Ministry of Energy secure funding for the project....we expect to receive this information in early February 2004," he added.
