From Marlvin-James Dadzie, Shama, W/R
Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) has said any delays in the relocation of the Karpowership from Tema to Sekondi, in the Western Region could result in a monthly loss of $40 million to the state.
GNGC has said it would therefore pursue the relocation with speed while being meticulous and sensitive to the concerns of affected communities.
The Director of Operations of GNGC, Ing. Robert Lartey, made this disclosure on Thursday in Shama during a community engagement organized by GNGC and Karpowership Ghana Limited for affected communities.
“We are going to run this project with speed. It’s on a very aggressive timeline.
We don’t want anyone to cross our way”, he said.
He said if all plans work as scheduled, the relocation would be completed by the end of March 2019.
The relocation of the Karpowership, he said, was necessary in order to make good use of the abundant gas being produced from the Western Region and increase the country’s energy generation at a reduced cost.
“We’re going to generate as much as 450 megawatts of power. The gas that is going to replace the oil that is currently being used in Tema, tells you that in comparative terms in cost, the gas is cheaper than the oil. Not only that, also, the gas is a cleaner fuel than the oil. So we’re also preserving our environment”, he said.
In addition, he said the relocation would boost local industries especially those in the Western Region, adding that it would also create jobs for residents in the region.
Ing. Lartey assured all affected communities and property owners that they would be compensated duly, stating that, GNGC was working closely with the Land Valuation Department to commence payment of compensation in October 2018.
The Chief Executive of the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan assembly, Mr. K. K. Sam, reiterated government’s commitment to better the lives of Ghanaians and that the relocation of the Karpowership was in that direction.
He, therefore, urged the people to welcome the move.
