Osagyefo barge to be operational by December

Effasu Mangyea (W/R), Aug. 21, GNA - A permanent solution to the present energy crisis in the country is insight following the handing over of the Osagyefo power barge to Balkan Energy Company to produce 125 megawatts of electricity within the next three months. Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister for Energy, gave the keys of the barge to Mr. Phillip David Elders, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S company, at a forum at Effasu-Mangyea in the Jomoro District on Monday. Mr. Adda said the government had been aware of its responsibility to face the challenge posed by the energy situation and that a significant level of power would be injected into the system when the barge becomes operational.

Ongoing government initiatives, the Minister said, would generate 80 megawatts from the mining consortium, 126 megawatts from the VRA's generating sets and initial 220 megawatts from the acquisition of the Alstom Turbines.

Mr. Adda told the people that the earlier decision to move the barge to Tema was not a deliberate attempt to deprive them of the opportunities that the barge would offer when it becomes operational but was in the best interest of the country.

He said the decision to relocate the barge was abandoned because the arrangement for the supply of gas from Nigeria failed. Mr Adda said the Balkan Energy Company, as part of the deal, would expand its activities within the initial 20-year period that it would be in the country to produce 825 megawatts of electricity. Mr. Adda advised the people to be reasonable and patient in their claim for compensation for land for the project and cash crops destroyed.

He appealed to the chiefs and people of the area to cooperate with the company and help to amicably settle any misunderstanding that might arise in the course of their operation.

Mr. Elders expressed the company's commitment to invest in the country energy sector for the benefit of the country and the company. "We are going to make significant investment to enhance the country's energy sector for our mutual benefit", he said. He said the company would spend 300 million dollars to procure two additional barges and 100 million dollars to enhance natural gas exploration.

Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, said with the handing over of the barge sceptics including those who chose to misrepresent the government's good intentions had been proved wrong. He commended the chiefs of the area and the Nzemamanle Council for their tact and diplomacy that helped to solve the misunderstanding that surrounded the issues of the Osagyefo barge peacefully.

Awulae Annor Adjaye V, Omanhene of Western Nzema, advised the company to fulfil its social responsibility promises and provide employment quota for the youth of the area.

He called for prompt payment of compensation for land that was used for the project and same for cash crops destroyed to ensure healthy relations between landowners and the company. Awulae Annor Adjaye called for rehabilitation and upgrading of the area's roads.