General News of Saturday, 24 December 2011

Source: GNA

Government considers reliable energy supply as crucial to development

Gwira-Aiyinase (W/R), Dec. 24, GNA - A Deputy Minister for Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has said Government considers the provision of reliable and affordable energy as crucial to the realization of accelerated growth and poverty reduction.

He said the sector Ministry would work hard to ensure that all households and productive sectors get enough power to towards national economic growth and poverty reduction. Mr.Buah, who is also Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, said these at a forum to educate the people on electricity project for about 139 communities in the Nzema East, Ellembelle and Jomoro Districts, at Gwira –Aiyinase in the Nzema-East Municipality.

He said the project, collaboration between Government and Weldy Lamont Associates, was being funded by the Exim Bank of the United States of America. Mr.Buah expressed hope that the project if completed would create small and medium scale industries in the rural areas and enhance the socio-economic development of the nation.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Nzema East Municipal Assembly, Reverend James Ackah Cobbinah, thanked the President for initiating the project to create employment in fulfillment of the Better Ghana agenda. He said: “We in Nzema are grateful to the President for the development so far in our various communities and we will show our appreciation at the polls come 2012”. The Western Regional Public Relations Officer of Electricity Company of Ghana, Mr. Dan Adjei-Larbi, said Government do not pay compensations for Self Help Electrification Projects (SHEP) and appealed to the people to support the project.

Mr.Adjei-Larbi expressed concern that some people were at the court seeking compensation in respect of some electricity projects. He appealed t o the people pay their electricity bills promptly to enable them to enjoy continuously supply.