A former Deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor has accused the Bui Power Authority of misinterpreting his concerns over Ghana’s arrangement for the payment of power from the Authority.
He said he never made any statement to the effect that “Bui Power’s PPA with ECG is a ‘Take or pay agreement’.”
Mr. Jinapor in a statement in response to the Bui Power Authority contended accusations that he together with former Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, had claimed that the Authority signed a take or pay agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under the Kufuor administration.
The Authority in a statement stated that its agreement with ECG is “take and pay” instead.
But Mr. Jinapor said he was making a point that Ghana will continue to service the loan used to construct the dam.
With regards to Bui, he insisted that “Ghana will continue to pay for the Loan Facility contracted under former President Kufour for the construction of the Bui Dam whether the plant generates power or not.”
The crux of my argument is that whether Ghanaians consume power from the Bui Dam or not, as a sovereign Nation we will pay for the Loan Facility. Will the CEO be kind to confirm or deny this submission of mine which is very clear and with no ambiguity.”
“It is therefore preposterous and disingenuous on the part of Mr. Oware [Chief Executive Of Bui Power Authority] to deliberately misrepresent my statement to the general public and proceed to refute same. My wonder is what exactly informed his decision on such a mission which will easily get him caught flat-footed.”
Mr. Jinapor, in addition, challenged the Authority to corroborate his claims that “the Government of Ghana has been making significant payments to service the Loan Facility.”
Find below the full statement
RE: BUI HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT DOES NOT HAVE A TAKE OR PAY POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
My attention has been drawn to a press release signed by Mr. Fred Oware, Chief Executive Of Bui Power authority, erroneously claiming to correct a statement purporting to have been made by myself (John Jinapor) and the Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr. Oware makes the claim that I recently made statements “WHICH SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT” the Power Purchase Agreement between Bui Power and ECG is a “Take or Pay” agreement.
For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state unequivocally that I have not and will not make what he describes as a statement from me, considering my wealth of knowledge and span of experience in the sector. I speak to facts and will always endeavour to do so without ambiguity.
More importantly, I am stating on record once again that, I have never made any statement to the effect that Bui Power’s PPA with ECG is a “Take or pay agreement”.
I, however, wish to reiterate my position that Ghana will continue to pay for the Loan Facility contracted under former President Kuffour for the construction of the Bui Dam whether the plant generates power or not.
If Mr. Oware will be honest and candid, he will corroborate my assertion by confirming that the Government of Ghana has been making significant payments to service the Loan Facility.
The crux of my argument is that whether Ghanaians consume power from the Bui Dam or not, as a sovereign Nation we will pay for the Loan Facility, will the CEO be kind to confirm or deny this submission of mine which is very clear and with no ambiguity.
It is therefore preposterous and disingenuous on the part of Mr. Oware to deliberately misrepresent my statement to the general public and proceed to refute same. My wonder is what exactly informed his decision on such a mission which will easily get him caught flat-footed.
On the vexed issue of plant availability, records from Bui Power will confirm that the plant is indeed a peaking plant and does not generate at full capacity consistently like the Akosombo Dam.
It is my hope that public servants who have been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the interest of the Nation will desist from political chicanery and misinformation which makes them appear as though their singular and primary interest is in speaking to the interest of a regime instead of State.
Signed.
John Abdulai Jinapor
Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum.
