Solution to ECG problem: Gov't must pay debt, replace managers - NPP MP

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North Constituency on the ticket of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Justice Joe Appiah has joined the crusade against the privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) and the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) have called on Government to halt the privatisation of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

“We reiterate our strong opposition to the planned privatisation programme under which ECG will be leased to a foreign entity for 25 years as a pre-condition for accessing $498.2 million from the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation under the Compact 11.”

The two Unions, particularly urged Government and the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA), implementers of the ECG concession, to rather explore other viable alternatives to transform ECG.

Commenting on ECG saga, Hon. Joe Appiah on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show hinted that the issue of ECG has to do with managerial ineptitude and that if ECG is privatised, Ghanaians will not be able to pay another tariff.

Highlighting on the solutions needed to move ECG back on track, Hon Justice Joe Appiah directed government to pay the over Ghc800 million Cedis debt to the coffers of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

“The issue of ECG is managerial ineptitude because the way ECG is doing its work is not the best. If ECG is privatised, Ghanaians will not be able to pay another tariff to the private company. At the end of the day, government owes ECG over Ghc800 million and it is not paying; this huge amount can restore ECG back on track...selling part of ECG to foreign entity will not help us and we won't allow it to happen,” he charged.