Government’s intention to merge the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Bui Power Authority (BPA) has been rejected by some staff groups of the VRA.
According to the groups, “the Volta River Authority was built for the people and not the highest bidder.”
The proposal, if effected, will also see the consolidation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and the creation of an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal plants.
But the workers insist “there is an existing Memorandum of Understanding between VRA and NEDCo that guarantees VRA’s continuous support in terms of power supply and the expansion of other infrastructure. The MOU has expired requiring a renewal, but management has been rendered powerless and has no interest in the renewal to guarantee continuous support to NEDCo for no apparent reason.”
The Ministry of Energy is also pushing for a Thermal Authority Bill, Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation Bill, and Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill.
But the VRA workers say merger of the two Authorities and the other changes the government seeks to do will be at the detriment of the VRA and the nation as a whole.
A Wednesday, September 04, 2024 statement issued by the VRA staff groups indicate that the reforms will affect the VRA’s contributions to the national grid and affect the State’s energy security.
“The support VRA gives to NEDCo is to ensure that our brothers and sisters in the NEDCo catchment areas of the country enjoy electricity consistently without any hindrance. The separation of NEDCo from VRA can affect the supply of power and cash inflows for VRA since ECG is not consistent with its payment obligations to VRA. We see this attempt as “A GRAND SCHEME TO SELL VRA ASSETS TO CRONIES,” the statement contained in some parts.
Meanwhile, the statement added that although the Board Chair of the VRA had given an assurance in May 2024 that the Authority’s thermal assets will not be privatised, recent development appears otherwise.
The group expressed its resoluteness in fighting to resist the proposed changes which it says is inimical to the State’s power security.
“The Staff of VRA with the support of Ghanaians shall fearlessly resist and use all legitimate means at our disposal to ensure that the people of Ghana are not robbed of affordable electric power and energy security under the guise of mergers and privatization,” the statement added.
It’ll be suicidal, a threat to national security if private sector controls ECG, VRA, GRIDCo – Bawa
