Power Outages: Mahama Criticizes Opoku Prempeh for Dumsor Timetable Remark
Mahama criticizes Opoku Prempeh over Dumsor timetable remark amid power outages. Get insights into the ongoing discourse.
John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has criticized Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh for his dismissive attitude towards requests for a load-shedding timetable during Ghana’s recent power outages. In a previous interview, Dr. Opoku Prempeh rejected calls for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to issue a load-shedding timetable and instead suggested that Ghanaians create their own schedule.
Speaking to members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mahama labeled the minister’s remarks as disrespectful and urged the government to promptly address the nation’s power crisis. He stressed the importance of a responsible government providing a timetable to help citizens plan amidst the inconsistent power supply.
“The country has been plunged into darkness. Mismanagement about generating assets and colateralization of ESLA which was meant to provide the resources to finance current and legacy debt has led us back to dumsor. The best government can do is to eat a humble pie, take responsibility for the problem and work to address it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I’m aware that businesses and households cannot plan because of the erratic power situation.
“While citizens demand a schedule to enable them to plan which is the least the responsible government should be doing, Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who was one of the frontline participants of the ‘Dumsor must stop campaign’, while in opposition is reported to have said, those asking for a load-shedding timetable wish ill for the country and they should publish their schedule.
“This is most disrespectful to Ghanaians and the customers of electric power. There is absolutely no doubt that businesses strive in a stable macroeconomic environment where revenue measures are designed to motivate the local production for growth and fiscal consolidation.”
He recognized that initiating a nuclear power project incurs significant costs but is of the opinion that it aligns with the prevailing trend in the developing world and has the potential to lower power expenses while enhancing competitiveness in manufacturing.
“So on the subject matter of power, we have been engaged and have been informed in the nuclear power agenda. One will say it’s pretty expensive to start a nuclear power project, an average of six billion and above, which will take more than five years possibly to build.
“Nonetheless, medium to long term in the developing world in the ancient state that is the trend, that is the only mix we believe can drop the cost of power and make us competitive in this space of manufacturing. Further details can be discussed later. Our second matter has to do with the macro indicators.”
Source: Citinews
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