WAPCo talks will yield positive results – Power Ministry

sQuashie

October 16, 2015 1:52 AM

Earlier this week, WAPCo notified the Volta River Authority (VRA) that it may cut gas supply to it by closing WAPCo’s valves at the Ghana end of the pipes if the VRA fails to honour its debt obligations.

Ministry of Power boss, Dr. Kwabena Donkor

The Ministry of Power has is optimistic that the high-powered delegation sent to Nigeria to negotiate Ghana’s debt with the management of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAPCo) will bring home positive news.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ministry, Kweku Sesah Johnson on Unique FM’s Behind the News programme on Thursday mentioned that since the delegation left on Wednesday night, no feedback has been received.

“Nothing has come out yet. I am very confident that it is going to be positive,” he said, adding that due to the long standing relationship Ghana has with Nigeria, the matter will be settled amicably.

The President, John Mahama subsequently sent a delegation to Nigeria to solve the matter amicably.

According to Mr. Johnson “it is the President that has sent this high powered delegation there and I believe that it is going to work out for the country… I cannot say for sure but I believe that by Friday, we will get some positive news,” Mr. Johnson said.

He however appealed to every Ghanaian to be “concerned and worried and hope for the better” because “it is not just as issue concerning the VRA”

Poor tariff regime

According to the Power Ministry’s PRO, the VRA is indebted to WAPCo due to the ineffective tariff regime existing in the country.

He said because citizens are not paying the right amount of tariffs, it does not compensate the work that VRA does.

Regarding the specific amount Ghana owes WAPCo, Mr. Johnson said that should not be the point of discussion.

“Some people are talking about 180 and 182 million but whatever it is, it is a debt,” adding that “plans are ahead to settle this bill…and that is why I believe that something good will come out of it.”

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