South African firm to supply equipment for $121m electricity project in Ghana

Work on the $121 million project to provide 88,917 households with electricity in 10 districts in the Upper East Region of Ghana is to start soon.

This is in line to connect 500 communities in the region to the National Electricity Grid.

Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy, made this known in Bolgatanga at a meeting with Municipal and District Chief Executives and some local contractors when he officially introduced Thengashep (GH) PTY Limited, South African contractors, who are to supply and install electrical materials and equipment for the project.

The Deputy Minister said assessment carried out by the Ministry of Energy on access to electricity in Ghana revealed that the northern regions fell below the national average of 72 per cent.

Northern Region has an accessibility rate of 43.52 per cent, Upper East Region 30.39 per cent, and Upper West Region 31.95 per cent.

On the connection and meter fees for the project, the Deputy Minister said each single phase would cost 58 Ghana Pesewas and GH¢1.56 for a three phase connection and stressed that anyone who flouted the directive would be brought to book.

He also noted that the project would create 30 permanent jobs and 200 temporary jobs for the unemployed.

He explained that the project required 30 per cent of local content and charged the contractor to ensure that people from the region took part in its implementation.

Mr Mark Woyongo, Regional Minister asked the contractor to use steel poles for the project, in view of the perennial bush fires in the area.

Mr William Patrick Mattee, Contractor with Thengashep (GH) PTY. Limited gave the assurance that the project would be completed before the scheduled period of four years.

Source: GNA