...Was advised as far back as 2000 on country`s energy crisis

THE ENERGY crisis continues to divide the country’s Legislators and individuals as to how best the situation could be rectified.

On Wednesday June 13th, The Chronicle carried a front-page comment –”Tsikata’s cheeky interventions and an impertinent government’s defence on energy” and the responses we have had, have been very helpful as to how to solve the energy crisis.

The Former Energy Minister during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) era, Nana Fred Ohene Kena phoned in to comment on that front-page comment, which warranted unprofessional and uncouth attacks from a tabloid.

And as a matured Statesman devoid of any prejudice, Nana chronicled to The Chronicle what Ghanaians should know about the energy crisis.

He told this paper that the government of President John Agyekum Kufuor should be held responsible for the present energy crisis. He said the NDC government gave to the present government, a programme of 1999 pointing out to the Kufuor government that between 2001-2005, the country might face an energy problem and that research results show that the country could be hit by energy problems every 8-9 years.

“ But this arrogant government, ignored our advise and my brother, see the mess in which we are now,” he said.

He intoned that the present government should be held responsible for the current energy mess because they failed to follow the programme the NDC submitted to them when leaving office.

He said the Aboadze plant when well utilised, could be of help to solve the energy crisis, slamming the Bui dam, which he said would only generate 400 megawatts of electricity but would destroy life, the environment and above all the cost which would affect habitation because of the low-lying nature of the site.

Nana Ohene Kena observed that the Gas pipeline project, being trumpeted by the ruling government as a saviour to the energy crisis, is a mirage because, “we have not yet even started any transmission line to bring in the gas nor have we even thought of the resources that go into this type of project.

He said bringing in gas from Nigeria is not the answer to our present crisis nor could it solve our problem. Government should rather come out clean to tell the nation the present situation for others to pull their resources and talents together to help them solve the crisis”, Nana Kena added.