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The Minority in Parliament has expressed significant concerns regarding the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project in the Upper East Region, alleging a lack of progress despite the expenditure of $12 million.
During a press briefing at the project site, MP for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor, announced that everyone involved in the deal, which has already cost the state nearly GH¢200 million, would be investigated and held accountable.
“We will activate all parliamentary processes to recover that amount of money—almost GH¢200 million—that has been given to this contractor. Someone must be held accountable. $12 million can achieve a lot in this country. We will use every legitimate and legal means to retrieve the money and punish those responsible for this financial crime and loss to the state,” he asserted.
Jinapor’s remarks followed the Minority leadership’s visit to the site of the $1 billion Pwalugu Multipurpose irrigation dam, which was expected to be completed this year after its commissioning in 2019. The visit was led by the ranking member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament.
The delegation, which included Hon. John Jinapor, visited the chief of Kurugu village in the Northeast region before proceeding to the project site, only to find an empty field with sold-out chippings and stones initially brought by the contractor. Contrary to reports, the communities purportedly relocated with the funds remained in place, and the village chiefs stated that no relocation had occurred.
The project was to include the construction of a Roller Compacted Concrete dam with an elevation of 168 meters above sea level near the Pwalugu Bridge on the White Volta River, with a reservoir covering an area of 262 square kilometers. Additionally, it was to feature a powerhouse with two Kaplan turbines with a 60-megawatt capacity, a 50-megawatt solar power plant, and an irrigation scheme with a 20-meter high water weir and canal network for about 25,000 hectares of land.
The delegation included Hon. Edward Bawa, MP for Bongo; Deputy National Communication Officer of the NDC, Malik Basintale; Upper East Regional Communication Officer, Jonathan Abdullah; and others.
Source:Omanghana.com
