General News of Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Source: starrfm.com.gh

We’ve always acted in good faith – PDS reacts to contract suspension

Government has suspended its contract with the Power Distribution Services Government has suspended its contract with the Power Distribution Services

Power Distribution Services (PDS) says it will collaborate with the Government of Ghana as it seeks to probe its Payment Securities (Demand Guarantees) for the ECG takeover.

In a statement, the company said it has always acted in good faith and will not rush to put out any information until they are substantiated.

Government has suspended its contract with the Power Distribution Services (PDS).

A statement by the Information minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Tuesday night said the decision takes immediate effect.

“The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Ltd. has suspended the concession agreement with Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited with immediate effect”.

The statement further said: “The decision follows the detection of fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of Payment Securities (Demand Guarantees) for the transaction which have been discovered upon further due diligence.

“The Demand Guarantees were key prerequisites for the lease of assets on 1st March, 2019 to secure the assets that were transferred to the concessionaire. The government is conducting a full enquiry into the matter, and the outcome will inform the next course of action”.

It added: “Government has taken steps to ensure distribution, billing and payment services continue uninterrupted. The general public and customers are assured that this development will not interfere with the distribution of electricity services to customers”.