[ad_1]
The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Osman Ayariga Mahama, has lambasted Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for always critiquing the erstwhile NDC government for the debts owed the Independent Power Producers.
According to him, Dr Bawumia is always accusing the former President for conveniency sake and cheap politics.
Osman Ayariga says the NDC will no longer tolerate such conduct and will always respond in equal measure should Dr Bawumia peddle any falsehood about the former president.
Speaking in a media interview on Saturday, July 1, the NDC’s Deputy National Youth Organiser advised the Vice President to desist from such unhealthy politicking.
“I find it very disappointing that the Vice President, Dr Bawumia, every time he decides to speak on this power generation issue, the first person he attacks is former President John Dramani Mahama claiming he signed on to pay contracts that are draining this country when he is just being dishonest.
“Most of these monies they pay have to be either fuel or power the Independent Power Producers have generated that government is not paying.”
He added that the depreciation of the Ghana cedi due to Bawumia’s mismanagement of the economy is also part of the increased debt stock.
He was speaking on the Independent Power Producers’ recent threat to shut down their plants over government’s indebtedness to them.
The Chamber of Independent Power Producers on Thursday, June 29 directed its members to cut supply to the national grid from July 1.
Members of the Chamber include Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy and CENIT.
They are since rescinded the decision.
Independent power producers play a significant role in Ghana’s energy sector, controlling 47 percent of the country’s total power generation mix and contributing 67 percent of Ghana’s thermal power.
As of May 2021, the six enterprises collectively claimed an outstanding debt of approximately $1.73 billion in cedis, with the debt dating back to January 2021.
To this end, the IPPs have agreed to keep operating their power plants after July 1, 2023.
[ad_2]
Source link