Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has chastised President Akufo-Addo for what he describes as the recommissioning of nine-year-old AMERI power plants, now the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP).
President Nana Akufo-Addo officially commissioned the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant at Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Akufo-Addo government and the NPP for mounting stiff opposition to the procurement of the AMERI power plants under the erstwhile Mahama administration between 2013 and 2015.
The NDC Deputy Communication Officer, reacting to the commission ceremony on TV3 New Day on Friday, April 19, emphasised, among other things, that the NPP government cannot consistently take credit for the projects initiated under a previous administration.
“If you’re talented at organising naming ceremonies, learn to give birth. You cannot decide to consistently exercise your talent in performing naming ceremonies for things that have been executed by your predecessor,” he said.
He questioned the rationale behind the commissioning ceremony since the plants have been in the country for the last nine years.
“What was the so-called commission all about?” he quizzed, adding, “You organised a naming ceremony for a nine-year-old baby and then you want us to clap for you.”
“AMERI is nine years old. AMERI was commissioned in 2015…I think President Akufo-Addo enjoys commissioning things, he enjoys naming ceremonies. If you enjoy naming ceremonies, learn to give birth,” he stated.
“IF YOU ARE TALENTED AT NAMING CEREMONIES, LEARN TO GIVE BIRTH” – @MALIK_BASINTALE JABS PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO FOR RENAMING THE AMERI POWER PLANT.#TV3NEWDAY PIC.TWITTER.COM/CALM6RWK97
— #TV3GH (@TV3_GHANA) APRIL 19, 2024
Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has underscored that the Volta River Authority (VRA) fully funded the construction of the K1TPP.
“To top it all, VRA provided all the funds for the construction of this station, including land acquisition, permits and licences, preparation of environmental and social impact studies, civil works, electric mechanical works, and commissioning of the plant,” said President Akufo-Addo.
The African and Middle East Resources Investment (AMERI) Group has officially handed over the 10-unit power plants—under a five-year “built, own, operate, and transfer” arrangement—to the government of Ghana after completing the duration.
The President further indicated that the VRA has demonstrated that “Ghanaian engineers from a publicly-owned institution can rise up to the task of finding engineering solutions to build our nation.”
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo commended the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), and the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) for “their respective roles played in bringing this project to fruition.”
Source: 3news.com
