The Africa Centre for Energy Policy, ACEP has asked the government to publish a load shedding time table for the country.
According to ACEP, based on the facts available, the current power situation is symptomatic of what transpired before the country was plunged into the dreaded dumsor era under the Mahama government.
Speaking to Citi News, Executive Director of ACEP, Benjamin Boakye said publishing a load shedding time-table will help Ghanaians plan their lives.
“That is how it started. In 2011 and 2012 when we were massaging the issue and not coming clean until it escalated.We had to go 12 hours on, 24 hours off. We do not want to get into that situation.We have to be open about the challenges and then we resolve it as a country.
“At all times when there is dumsor, there should be a way to communicate. If you are going to take my lights, you have to tell me. I do not understand why there is that delay on the part of PDS when you have been informed by GRIDCo to shed load across the country. You have to let the public know that you are going to take their light and that requires a timetable. I do not know what is delaying a timetable coming in.”
Mr. Boakye also said the current power crisis is due to financial constraints on the part of government.
“They have been complaining that they are not getting money from the system to be able to procure and that is in the current and that explains why the stocks of Karpower have been treated so low. The financial challenges at Karpower has been deepening and the earlier we resolve the challenges the better.”
Mr. Boakye’s calls for government to publish a timetable is in sync with that of the Minority Members of Parliament who have also called on government to be candid with Ghanaians and release a load shedding timetable following the recent power outages across the country.
According to the Minority Spokesperson on Mines and Energy, Adam Mutawakilu, the recent power outages are a reflection of the financial troubles facing the energy sector due to government’s mismanagement of the sector.
Addressing journalists on what many fear may be a return of the erratic power supply also known as “dumsor,” Adam Mutawakilu said a load shedding timetable should be announced to at least help consumers plan their activities.
“Last night I slept in darkness. You know the Minority raised the issue that we are back to Dumsor and in November GRIDCo gave the same explanation that it is due to technical challenges and I said it is because we do not have money…Since November we have consistently had load shedding and it is not as widespread as it has happened the day before and, as we speak, many other areas are still experiencing it.
“There is a huge shortfall of 1,000 megawatts and I want President Nana Akufo-Addo to officially declare dumsor and come out with a load shedding timetable because this is causing a lot of havoc to businesses and he must do the honourable thing by officially declaring dumsor.”
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By: Marian Ansah| citinewsroom.com
