If you want electricity tell Parliament to approve loans – NAPO

Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called on Parliament, particularly opposition members to allow smooth approval of loans for critical projects such as that of the energy sector.

His calls comes after Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North Constituency in the Oti Region on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) questioned him on the current state of the Ghana China Water deal which was to finance and construct various infrastructure projects across Ghana including the extension of electricity to rural communities and this appears to have halted for sometime now.

According to the Minister, his constituency had about 19 communities connected to electricity in Phase 1, and 12 communities were awarded under Phase 2. However, since 2017, no community has been connected. He lamented the challenge of having to split the cost with the energy ministry, with 4000 thousand on buying poles.

Dr. Matthew called on Parliament to pass loans when it resumes sitting to help the government get more funds to extend electricity nationwide without hurdles. He continued that the China Water Deal has been plagued with funding challenges, especially due to Ghana’s recent partnership with the IMF and the dire impact of COVID-19 on the country’s economy. Hence, there is a need for the government to gain access to loans to address the crisis facing the energy sector.

“It was a contracted project and if they find out after going to site there are more projects or towns that should have been included in the project, these challenges pop up.

After the contractor has gone out for feasibility, they find out that there are many more communities that should have been included, it means they will have to come for extra funding and it is the extra funding that has been the major problem. especially after the COVID and IMF project.

Even when they get it passing it through Parliament is also another problem.

I won’t blame us but I will blame parliament that even getting loans through Parliment…You hear press conferences say the country that is broke we have taken 3.5 billion. I say don’t do that because if you do that and come and ask me for money for electrification how do I get the money when you don’t pass my loan” he noted.

He therefore urged Parliament to expedite its approval of pending loans on its table to help the government secure funds for all pending projects.

“So I think when we come back, there are loans that need to be quickly passed. Let us assist the government in approving those loans for your 12 communities,” he added.