*VRA Staff storm Parliament to kick Against Draft Bill for Bui Power Merger*

Senior Staffs of the Volta River Authority have expressed strong disapproval of the draft bill proposing the merger of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Bui Power Authority (BPA), the fusion of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the institution of an independent Thermal Power Authority.

Speaking to members of the parliamentary press corps, National Chairman for Senior Staff of VRA Theophilus Tetteh Ahiah, stated that they want members of Parliament to reject the bill since VRA is efficient and reliable.

“What we are saying is that,Volta River Authority is very efficient,  

reliable and the power for the generation plant are the Cheapers in this Country,therefore we are asking that the bills brought before parliament should be rejected by honorable members”he said 

According to Mr. Tetteh VRA is a National Security Asset, being the only Institution that protects the country’s economy and its Energy Security, hence the attempt to merge is not in the best interest of the country.

“The attempts to merge the Volta River Authority Hydro and the Buri Power Authority, separation of the VRA Tema Asset and creation of Tema Power Authority and the virtual sale to private investors and some faceless politicians is not in the best interest of this country”he added 

He added that the merging of NEDCo and ECG to form the Electric  Distribution Power Company Authority is also not in the best interest of the country.

“As you’re all aware ECG is facing challenges,not able to make payments to all the energy cells that they receive from the generators, as we speak ECG's  indebtedness to the VRA is over 2Billion Ghana Cedis, that of IPP is over 1.5billion dollars how can we achieve the objectives as espoused in the bills that we are bringing efficiency, reduce the cost of electricity and reduce government financing of these sector”he quizzed

Report by PKB