Sunyani now enjoys 24-hour power supply

Sunyani (B/A), Jan. 23, GNA - Several parts of Brong Ahafo are once again enjoying a normal 24-hour power supply after undergoing two weeks of power rationing.

A top official of the Volta River Authority (VRA), however, told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that the affected towns would undergo the same fate again at a date to be announced later to enable the Authority to complete work on the installation of a new transformer with a higher capacity.

Mr Frank Akligo, Area Manager, explained that the two transformers "currently in use have been in operation for the past 16 years and have reached their capacities, so if nothing is done about it immediately, they will break down as a result of heavy load".

He said the two transformers were installed at a time when the population was manageable, but with the ever-increasing population, "they (transformers) have to give way to a new one with a bigger capacity".

Mr Akligo further explained that the process of removing the old transformers and replacing them with new ones resulted in the power rationing exercise.

He added that when the lines were being connected to the new one, power sharing "will have to be resorted to once again for the work to be successfully done".

The Area Manger appealed to customers to be patient and bear with the Authority as the exercise was for their benefit. He urged customers to pay their bills promptly to ensure adequate and reliable power supply, avoid middlemen and deal directly with officials of the VRA.

The affected towns included Sunyani and environs, Berekum, Tepa, Dormaa, Sampa, Kenyasi, Hwidiem, Berekum, Mim, Kukuom, Goaso and Duayaw Nkwanta.

The first phase of the exercise was to be carried out for one month but the work was completed before schedule.