Chinese firm completes electricity project connecting 400 communities in UE to national grid

The China International Water and Electric Corporation has completed work on connecting  400 communities in the Upper West Region to the national grid.

Mr. Xie Dahu, Country Director of the Corporation, said this when the Energy Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, paid a working visit to the region to inspect electrification projects

Mr Xie said it was heart-warming that the project, originally scheduled for completion in four years, took only two years to complete because it was dear to both government and the beneficiaries.

He commended the government and the beneficiary communities for their maximum co-operation, which he said, contributed to the completion of the project  ahead of time.

Mr. Nathaniel Baena, Upper West Area Manager of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), said 408 out of the 416 communities had so far had their electrification projects  inaugurated.

Mr. Buah commended China Water for its express delivery and explained that  government implemented the Rural Electrification Project  as a mechanism to help bring regions with low grid rates  at par with nationally accepted rates.

He said there was the need to increase the nation’s energy capacity by 10 percent annually to meet the demands of its growing population and industry.

Mr. Buah said the Ministry would soon seek approval from political heads in places where projects or contracts were located before paying contractors to ensure quality execution of projects.

The Energy Minister who also inspected the Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) project in Wa, expressed satisfaction about work on the project and directed VRA to connect electricity to the school.

Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, the Upper West Regional Minister who accompanied the Minister, stressed the need to accelerate the growth and development of the region to enable it catch up with the rest of the country.

Source: GNA