Accra, Sept.23, GNA- Government has decided to let the top-level management personnel of the Volta River Authority (VRA) serve a term of office as a means of ensuring responsibility in their stewardship Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister pg Energy told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Tuesday, after confirming the resignation of Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby Chief Executive of the VRA and his deputy Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur.

The Energy Minister said top-level personnel will be in office for about five years and upon positive revaluation, "their term will be renewed."

He said it was sad that the VRA has not learnt from the costly delays that it had incurred in its operations, adding that, " it is important to halt the decline in the waste within the power sector." Dr Nduom warned other personnel in the sector to be wary of their actions and procedures governing their operations since anything uncharacteristic and not in conformity with laid down practices, would be appropriately dealt with.

He expressed regret that due to the procurement of inappropriate equipment and plants, poor means of purchases and lousy agreements, the nation's hydro potential had reduced drastically to just 35 per cent.

"This came into sharp focus during the power crisis of 1998 and the situation has not changed at all. The result is that we are now buying power for thermal plants at very huge cost to the nation, Dr Nduom said. He cited the wastage in the system at the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) power barge, which he said cost Ghana 10 million dollars, but is yet to produce any power. He said there is no purchase agreement between the GNPC and the power companies on how power could be transmitted to the barge to operate.

On the attitude of the workers, Dr Nduom said he was not amused at all since they have not been grateful for what has been provided them under their terms and conditions of service. 23 Sept 03