Parliament to scrutinize important multi-million dollar water, energy agreements

Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor is to present a loan agreement before Parliament involving a water purchase agreement between the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Befesa Desalination Development Ghana Limited with government as guarantor for an amount of $115,000,000.00 to finance the development of a sea water desalination plant.

It is aimed at producing potable water for delivery to GWCL existing pipeline infrastructure in Teshie, Nungua and its environs, in the Greater Accra region.

The Minister will also present a request for a waiver of taxes and duties in respect of the above project on equipment and materials to be imported or purchased locally, amounting to $30,327,330.00 and spanning 25 years contract duration.

It also covers corporate taxes amounting to $42,500,000.00 and spanning the first 10 years of the operation.

Meanwhile, Parliament is to scrutinize various energy facilities to established to improve the standard of living of some communities including a $29.4-million  agreement to finance the first phase of an inter-zonal transmission hub project of the West Africa Power Pool programme.

This facility, which is before Parliament’s Committee on Finance, is an agreement between the government and the International Development Association.

A buyer’s credit agreement has also been presented to Parliament between the Ghana Grid Company and the government as guarantor and the Societe General for an amount of 48,148,370.02 Euros to finance the Tumu-Han-Wa transmission project.

The Finance Committee is to consider this facility before it comes before the floor of the House for debate and approval.

By Eunice Menka