Government is worried about persistent outages in the North - Amewu

The Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu has said government is worried about what he described as persistent interruptions in electricity supply in the Northern Region.

According to him, the power situation which is making life uncomfortable for the people in the Northern Region is a source of worry to government especially, President Akufo-Addo.

The Energy Minister revealed this when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saaed, to brief him about their visit to the region.

Hon. Peter Amewu was accompanied by his Deputy Dr Mohammed Amin, Chief Director at the Ministry, Lawrence Apaalse, Solomon Adjetey, a director at the Ministry, as well as other officials.

"We're here to meet with NEDCO to find out what is really happening. The interruptions in power supply is becoming very persistent especially in the Northern Region and as a government his Excellency President Akufo-Addo is quiet concerned about it.

"We want to see how we can address those interruptions," he stated.

He added that: "we don't want a situation whereby there may be problem, but NEDCO would not let us know or the public know and the situation would persist."

On his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, thanked the Minister and his entourage for beginning their visit of the power sector agencies by starting from the Northern Region, where NEDCO operates.

He praised the management of NEDCO for being proactive anytime there was power outrage in the region.

"Let me make it clear that your officers in the region are doing very well from the MD to the supporting staff. They are working very hard despite the challenges. Anytime there is an issue and the communities are calling they respond quickly to resolve the problem," he intimated.

He appealed to the Ministry to champion the development of solar energy in the Northern Region, stressing that the region has full potential for it.

This, he explained, would make it possible for health facilities, especially CHIPS Compounds in the area to have uninterrupted power supply.

Peter Amewu, as part of the visit, also used the opportunity to commission a 3kw Micro Grid solar facility for Langatre CHIPS Compound in the West Gonja District.

The facility which is part of 26 micro grid funded by United Nations Foundation with an amount of US$2.5 for some communities in the Northern, Brong Ahafo and Western Regions, would help to provide sustainable power to the CHIPS Compound in those communities.