By Dominic Hlordzi
A Seven Member Technical Committee has been inaugurated to work out modalities for private sector participation in the operation of the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, NEDCo.
Inaugurating the Committee in Accra, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Jinapor underscored the need for the power distributors, ECG and NEDCo to be efficient and responsive to the electricity needs of the people.
With the inherent challenges with the operation of the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, NEDCo, the new administration promised to take steps to inject efficiency in the distribution of electricity.
The power distributors have two main challenges; distribution losses and the inability to collect bills after selling the power.
These among other considerations informed government’s decision to involve private sector player or players in the work of ECG and NEDCo hence the formation of the Technical Committee.
Members of the Committee are former CEO of Bui Power Authority Mr. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, Benjamin Boakye of ACEP and Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Oil and Gas Studies, University of Cape Coast, Dr. Shafic Sulemana. The rest are Dr. Simon Akorli of PURC Mr. Ebenezer Baiden of ECG, a lawyer Ama Akua Bulley and energy expert Mr. Edward Abrokwah.
Inaugurating the Committee, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor charged members of the Committee to do their best for the country.
He stated that during the campaign and in the NDC’s manifestoe, the party outlined its plans to reform the energy sector and to include private sector participation in the distribution of electricity.
The Minister said the President has said this on many occasions and the formation of the Committee is in line with the vision to ultimately strengthen the operations of the power distributors and to reduce the losses and ensure efficiency.
“We have not taken a firm decision on the model to adopt” he stated, adding that the Committee’s work will guide us in arriving at the best model.
The main duty of the Committee is to consult extensively with key stakeholders and advice the Ministry on the best way forward for the inclusion of local content participation in the work of ECG and NEDCo.
Mr. Jinapor explained that government wants to inject efficiency and accountability in the energy sector.
He urged ECG and NEDCo Staff members and the general public to give the committee maximum cooperation in its work.
He stated that whatever model is chosen will be subjected to rigorous bidding process to get the best for power distribution sector.
The Chairman of the Committee, Jabesh Amissah-Arthur thanked the Minister for the confident repose in them and assured the Minister of the members commitment to the task.
The Committee has one months to present its report.
