The Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS), Professor David Millar has expressed some pessimism about the timely completion of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam.
Professor Millar’s pessimism has arisen due to the incessant delays that have riddled the full start of the project coupled with the current economic dump the country finds itself in. He said this when he spoke on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show.
He said the concept of the Pwalugu Multipurpose when realized would redefine agriculture in the Northern half of the country, but until the kinks of the project are worked out, the prospects would only continue to remain on paper.
“The government has told us it has no money and that is why they are pushing the E-levy strongly. The Minister of Finance has told us that it is not going to invest in new projects. These are all austerity measures. That project [the multipurpose dam] seems not to be key on the agenda; although it [the government] has not said so”.
“I expected that by now, the foundation should have been established but if you go to the site, there is little to say about the dam construction aside the workshop erected by the engineers”.
“Now, I know the engineers are even packing off. Due to the lack of funding, some of them have relocated,” he said.
Professor Millar said with the current developments in context, the initial timeline set for the project has been lost.
Background
In November 2019, President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the project in the Talensi District and it is expected to cost the government of Ghana an amount of 993 million dollars.
The project, which is the single largest investment ever made in the Northern part of Ghana, and estimated to cost US$993 million, would consist of a Hydro-Solar hybrid system of 60 MW Hydro Power and 50 MW Solar Power.
The two technologies would complement each other to provide reliable and stable electricity supply to the national grid. The Project would also provide an irrigation scheme covering an area of Twenty-Five Thousand (25,000) hectares and improve water supply to the Northern parts of the country.
In addition, the Multi-Purpose Dam, expected to be completed in four years, would control the perennial flooding in the Northern regions caused by heavy rains and the spillage from the Bagre Dam.
Present at the Sod-cutting ceremony were the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, HE. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; the Minister of Energy, Hon. John Peter Amewu; the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Paulina Patience Abayage; North East Regional Minister, Hon. Solomon Namliit Boar; Members of Parliament; the Chief Executive of VRA, Mr. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa; Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives; a retinue of Traditional Chiefs; and other dignitaries.
A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
