Workers of the Volta River Authority (VRA) have kicked against the proposed draft bill to merge VRA with Bui Power Authority.
The bill also seeks to combine the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and establish an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal plants.
The government’s plan includes consolidating thermal plants under a Ghana Thermal Authority and hydro plants under a Ghana Hydro Authority, as outlined in a bill currently before Parliament.
But the workers in a statement have said the move is not in the best interest of Ghanaians and could adversely impact VRA and the nation.
The statement added the bill could undermine VRA’s contributions to the national grid and security, indicating the proposal is a scheme to privatise the Thermal Department, making it easier for private entities to take over valuable Ghanaian assets.
“The support VRA gives to NEDCo is to ensure that our brothers and sisters in the NEDCo catchment areas of the country enjoy electricity consistently without any hindrance. The separation of NEDCo from VRA can affect the supply of power and cash inflows for VRA since ECG is not consistent with its payment obligations to VRA. We see this attempt as “A GRAND SCHEME TO SELL VRA ASSETS TO CRONIES.”
The VRA staff are therefore calling for immediate action to address these issues and ensure that the interests of the nation is protected.
“The Volta River Authority was built for the people and not the highest bidder. There is an existing Memorandum of Understanding between VRA and NEDCo that guarantees VRA’s continuous support in terms of power supply and the expansion of other infrastructure.
“The MOU has expired requiring a renewal, but management has been rendered powerless and has no interest in the renewal to guarantee continuous support to NEDCo for no apparent reason,” the statement read.
The staff have vowed that with the support of Ghanaians, they shall fearlessly resist and use all legitimate means to ensure Ghanaians are not robbed of affordable electric power and energy security under the guise of mergers and privatization.
Source: Adomonine.com
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Read the full statement below: