Opinions of Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Columnist: William Hor

ECG, a looming disaster!

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Electricity power is a "necessary evil" and it's a good servant but could be a bad Master if not managed well as Afram River can be electrified and innocent souls may be electrocuted.

It is an open secret that the facility that connects Afram plains to the National Grid has developed fault at the connecting point at Ekye-Amanfrom in the river and this has the tendency for disaster if not expeditiously and comprehensively repaired.

Continuity and proper management of national assets without entrenched Partisan ideology will vividly encourage all to be good citizens and not spectators. The Government of Ghana led by former President JJ Rawlings connected Afram plains on a temporary fix under a marine project and since then consumption and expansion have increased but the system remains the same.

The frequency of black- outs have imperatively compelled me to add my voice to the numerous voiceless to echo the looming disaster if not prevented God forbid if it explodes. The effort by ECG cannot be underestimated therefore, no excuse can be tolerated if we fail to plan and act accordingly.

Since 2016, the frequency of black-outs is getting worse and it's to remind us that no system is perfect; however, the said project was to be temporary. The Afram River covered 2/3 of the Eastern Region and residents are predominantly Fisher folks and crop farmers.

In a quest to prevent the above mentioned subject, I suggest the following:
(1)ECG to Re-direct its power supply connectivity to Afram Plains through AGOGO in the Ashanti region

(2)Government should endeavour to construct the much needed and awaited bridge over Adawso-Ekye Amaanfrom stretch, the lines must be relocated and placed under the covers of the bridge because technology has evolved.