General News of Thursday, 12 February 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

Power crisis: Provide alternative solutions - NDC tells NPP

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stop being endless critics of the government as far as the power crisis is concerned, and rather provide alternatives towards solving the problem.

“Bring alternatives, bring solutions,” National Organiser Kofi Adams told Journalists Thursday, asking: “…What is the track record of the NPP when it comes to power generation?”

Ghana is currently shedding between 440 and 650 Megawatts of power during off-peak and peak periods respectively, instead of a planned 250 and 350 Megawatts for those same periods.

The situation has resulted in reduced power supply to both domestic and industrial consumers, a situation which has brought a lot of inconvenience to both class of consumers.

Both President John Mahama and power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor have explained that the situation has come about as a result of poor hydrology in the three main hydro-electric power stations: Akosombo, Bui and Kpong, coupled with unavailability of gas from the West Africa Gas Pipeline in Nigeria to power some thermal plants.

The breakdown of some production plants has also compounded the problem.

The NPP’s Flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo, his Running Mate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and stalwarts of the party have, on several public platforms, accused the current Government of incompetence in handling the situation, despite having abundant resources at its disposal.

However, Mr Adams said Thursday that rather than complaining about the situation and criticising the Mahama administration, the NPP must offer solutions.