Kufuor outdoors Bui Power Authority Board

Accra, May 21, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday inaugurated the seven-member pioneer Bui Power Authority Board and charged it to ensure that the 600 million-dollar hydro energy project was delivered on schedule.

Not only should it ensure that the Chinese Contractors undertaking the job are not obstructed but it must also see to it that they deliver within the terms of the contract.

Additionally, they would have to make sure that the Bui area is opened up more quickly in terms of the development of roads, water and electricity supply, construction of schools, health facilities and the opening of banks, among other infrastructure.

President Kufuor who chairs the board said the people must benefit directly from the project.

Members are Mr Kwadwo Mpaini, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Fred Oware, the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Mr David Claude Kumah, businessman, Mr Yaw Opong, former Director of Power, Ministry of Energy, Alhaji Adam Zakaria, Principal, Gabagaba Training College and Ms Eudora Koranteng, a lawyer. The Bui Dam, on completion would add 400 megawatts of power to the country's generation mix.

In addition to the Dam, the Board has oversight responsibility for the management of a model city planned along with the hydro project. President Kufuor reminded them of the importance of the project, coming second only to the Akosombo Hydro Project, in terms of physical development.

He therefore asked the members to hold themselves with transparency and accountability.

Mr Oware said they were aware of the Government's vision of using the project as a foundation to bring about industrial growth and promised that they would work to achieve that vision. The Bui Dam, which had been on the drawing board for about 80 years, finally got off the ground last year with the performance of a sod-cutting ceremony by President Kufuor. It is being financed with a loan facility from China.