Contractors to start work to connect 500 communities to electricity in UER

Bolgatanga, Feb. 29, GNA - Work on 121million dollarsloan facility to provide 88,917 households with electricity in 10 districts in the Upper East Region is to start soon.

This is in line with the government's promise to connect 500 communities in the Upper East Region to the national electricity grid, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Minister for Energy, has said.

He said this at a meeting with Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), and some local contractors when he officially introduced Thengashep (GH) PTY. Limited, South African contractors, who are to supply and install electrical materials and equipments for the project.

Alhaji Fuseini 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 30.39 per cent and Upper West 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 would flout the directive would be brought to book.

He said the project would create 30 permanent jobs and 200 temporary jobs.

Alhaji Fuseini said the active involvement of Ghanaians in the project could not be compromised and explained that the project required 30 per cent of local content.

Appealed to beneficiary communities to be on the alert to report any discrepancies in the execution of the project and help in ensuring success of the implementation of the project.

Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, said in view of the perennial bush fires in the region, the contractor should use steel poles in fire prone areas.

GNA