Mutawakilu cautions Gov’t over new moves to sell ECG

Government has been cautioned to stop the clandestine moves to once again handover the management of the states power distribution company, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to another private company.

According to the Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, Adams Mutawakilu, they have information to the effect that government has decided to put the ECG under another management contract without recourse to Parliament after its failed romanticization with PDS.

He has therefore served notice that the Minority NDC group in Parliament will do all it can to resist the attempt to burden the taxpayer with another PDS-like agreement which he claims will not inure to the benefit of the nation but would rather serve the interest of just a few members in government.

“Information we are picking is that they are seriously negotiating behind close doors for ECG to be handed over to another company. We are monitoring and we will resist it with all our strength. We must stop that devil advocate in taking over ECG. We will resist it in whatever kind.” He said.

Speaking with Africa News Radio in an interview on the subject, Mr. Mutawakilu said the clandestine move by government was wrong.

“It is wrong. One, lack of transparency; two, we have indicated that per the past dealings that we have had, it is as the result of the President’s interest in taking over ECG that has brought us to this level.

“And we expected that what the government is doing now shouldn’t have been a secret. It should have been made known for all Ghanaians to scrutinize it. Not to sit behind, do your dealings and announce it one day. E won’t accept that.” He cautioned.

The Electricity Company of Ghana was put under a management contract with Power Distribution Services (PDS) as part of the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) from the USA which recommended a private sector participation in the power distribution sector for profitability and efficiency.

However, the management contract was short lived as a result of some board room wrangling between the private investors and government. The deal was therefore canceled.

Source: Clement Akoloh || africanewsradio.com