NAPO: We’ll resolve impasse between ECG and residents of Manya Krobo
The Minister of Energy Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has assured of plans to resolve the impasse between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the people of Krobo.
It comes after some agitating residents of Lower Manya Krobo last month protested against the presence of the military and the installation of prepaid metres without engagement with the community.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Neneme of the two Krobo traditional areas on Tuesday (5 July), Opuku Prempeh called on residents and traditional leaders to be circumspect in their utterances in order not to mar the peace process.
The meeting which was also attended by two MPS for the two traditional areas Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi and Bismark Tetteh Nyarko discussed ways by which collectively, the traditional leaders could find a lasting resolution to the impasse between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Krobo people.
“Whilst expressing my disappointment with the protracted nature of the impasse, I made it clear that the ECG is for all Ghanaians and thus, exists to provide efficient and reliable service delivery to all Ghanaians including the people of Krobo. It is thus, imperative that there is absolute harmony between the company and the people.
“I stated that violence must never be the route to solving differences in a country like Ghana where respect for the rule of law and democratic accountability is very much upheld. I assured Neneme that, after hearing their concerns, I will in the next few days engage them, management of the ECG and all stakeholders for a lasting solution to be found to the disagreements.”
“I thus urged Neneme to be circumspect in their public pronouncements, as inflammatory languages have the potential of affecting negatively the peace building process. I have no doubt that the peace process we have started will end this unfortunate friction that has proven to be counter-productive to both sides, the Energy Minister posted on Facebook.
ECG deliberately punishing us
Earlier, residents of Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities expressed disquiet over the effect of no electricity in the area since Monday (6 December) due to the relocation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office from Somanya.
Fredrick Narh Okley, the convenor of the Coalition of Krobo Youth, said, “the lack of electricity has rendered companies and businesses inactive. We have a local radio station here called Right FM, according to the station, they will close down because the fuel to run their generators is causing them Ghc1000 and more which is unbearable, businesswomen in town, cold stores owners, hairdressers and everyone who uses electricity are suffering as a result of this.’’
“My phone has been off for four days and this is a huge worry to my business and the heat of late makes it difficult to sleep comfortably. Our foods in the fridge are all spoilt,’’ a resident told Asaase News.
According to residents, there has been a total blackout in the Municipalities for the past four days which they describe as a punishment.
They are, however, appealing to the management of ECG to rescind its decision and return to Somanya as they are prepared to provide 24-hour protection for them and also ready to work with them.
‘’We want to appeal to ECG; the chiefs are prepared to give us 500 men from Lower Manya and another 500 men from Yilo making a thousand men to provide security. And we will also appeal to the police because they are also here and suffering the same predicament; to join us fix this situation to provide security for the town,’’ he added.
Okley added “…and we don’t even have water to drink, the water tankers run their machines with electricity; we don’t have water to even bath and we can’t take this anymore.’’
