Extend Electricity To Samreboi - MP Pleads

Accra, - A member of parliament today called for the extension of electricity to Samreboi to assist Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited (Samartex). Mr Abraham Kofi Asante, member of parliament for Amenfi West, made the call in a statement in parliament house today. Mr Asante said Samartex is the only large industry in the Wasa Amenfi and Aowin Suaman districts, employing 1,600 people. Moreover, he said, the extension of electricity to the town which is 20 kilometres from the national electricity grid located at Asankranguaa would enable numerous villages located within this stretch to tap the power. Mr Asante explained that at present, the company generates electricity from steam turbines which consumes huge volumes of timber. This is environmentally unfriendly and inconsistent with government's "committed policy of sustainable forest management." The turbines have the capacity to generate only 800 kilowatts of electricity which is far less than the required 2,500 kilowatts to run the company. Mr Asante said apart from the company's inability to supply electricity to communities within its area of operation coupled with the turbines being unreliable with a short life-span, it is also very expensive to run and maintain. This, he explained, is because the bulk of wood needed for the turbines is transported from Takoradi and has on some occasions ''generated dangerous explosive moments for the operations of the company.'' The MP was optimistic that if Samartex gets hooked to the national grid, "the company could increase its monthly export earnings to approximately 2,000,000 dollars from its current level of 900,000 dollars." ''In addition, the consumption of huge volumes of timber for generation of electricity from steam turbines could be recycled for production of prefabricated houses made of chipped wood and cement........which will create employment opportunities for 300 people'', he added. Mr Asante said there are plans to promote and expand tourism and agricultural projects in the area with a well guided revenue projection from tourism alone standing at about 1.5 million dollars. The diversification of agricultural activities could create jobs

and improve living standards in the region. Apart from the economic, social and commercial benefits Samreboi would gain, the electricity corporation would also generate a monthly revenue estimated at 40 million cedis from Samartex. This can pay the initial investment made in the short run, he added. Mr Asante's statement attracted support from two other members who also expressed the urgent need for power for the company.