Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has disclosed that the next NDC government will continue the Pwalugu dam project which was commissioned in 2019.

According to him, his government will prosecute persons responsible for $12million financial loss to the state if elected President of the Republic in the 2024 general elections.

He explained that although no work has been done yet, the government claims about $12 million has been spent on the project.

Addressing the press in Bolgatanga on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, John Dramani Mahama said, “Of course, it made a lot of political capital for the president’s party in cutting sod for that project…Unfortunately, we have rather lost money because almost $12 million was paid for no work done. You go to the site there is absolutely nothing there so somebody has caused financial loss to the state and must be held to account.

“But it is a project that is desirable. We intend to continue," he stated categorically.

The components of the Pwalugu project included the construction of a roller compacted concrete dam with an elevation of 168 metres above sea level near the Pwalugu bridge on the white volta river and a reservoir covering an area of 262 square kilometres.

A powerhouse consisting of two Kaplan turbines with 60 megawatts of installed capacity and a solar power plant of 50 megawatts.

Additionally, an irrigation scheme consisting of a 20-metre-high water weir and canal network for about 25,000 hectares of land would be installed.

The Pwalugu dam, when constructed will boost economic activities in the Upper East and North East regions.

It will enhance the productivity of farmers and attract large-scale commercial farms supported by about 15,000 out growers.

SA/NOQ