An urgent meeting convened by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah was held to address a critical issue in Ghana’s energy sector, involving key players from the Ministry of Energy and GRIDCo.
The meeting comes in response to an announcement by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo) regarding scheduled maintenance on the pipeline that supplies natural gas from Nigeria to Ghana.
Frank Okyere, Director of Systems Operations at GRIDCo, revealed that the maintenance work, which is necessary to ensure the pipeline’s integrity, will require shutting down the section that feeds gas to power plants in Tema.
The maintenance, known as “pigging,” is set to last for one month and will disrupt the supply of gas to these plants.
“The maintenance exercise requires shutting down the pipeline for the period, which directly affects gas supply to thermal plants in Tema.
Therefore, we need to source alternative liquid fuels to keep the plants operational,” Okyere explained. However, he cautioned that while some liquid fuels are available, they are insufficient to meet the demand during the maintenance period. Okyere emphasized that efforts are being made to secure additional fuel supplies to prevent any disruptions in power generation.
In response, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, spokesperson for the Presidency, assured the public that the government is fully aware of the urgency of the matter. “A technical committee has been set up with representatives from all the key players in the energy sector. The committee is tasked with providing a detailed roadmap to address the situation by the end of today,” Kwakye said.
He further noted that the maintenance should have originally taken place in October of the previous year. However, the then-government requested that the exercise be postponed until January 20th to allow more time for the procurement of alternative fuel supplies. Kwakye pointed out that the previous administration had assured the incoming government that everything was in place to ensure there would be no fuel shortages during this critical period.
“It is clear that the necessary preparations were not made as promised, and as a result, the responsibility now falls on the current administration to resolve the issue,” Kwakye stated.
The spokesperson reiterated that various options are being considered, with the technical committee working diligently to explore solutions that would minimize the impact on the public.
“President Mahama is fully aware of the situation and is committed to ensuring that the necessary actions are taken to avert any difficulties for the people of Ghana.”
Despite the short timeline for fuel procurement, the government has pledged to take all necessary steps to ensure continuous power supply during the maintenance period. The issue highlights the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s energy sector and the importance of timely planning and resource management.
As the government works towards a solution, citizens are urged to remain patient as discussions continue on the best course of action to mitigate the potential impact of the maintenance.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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