Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has proposed three ways by which government can effectively deal with the controversial Power Distribution Service (PDS) saga.
Speaking on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' he said there will be the need to "set up a non-partisan committee to look into what actually went wrong" as far as the deal is concerned. According to him, this committee will also recommend ways for subsequent governments to learn from.
Watch video below to listen to the rest of Kwesi Pratt's solution to the PDS saga which the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as 'embarassing'
Background
PDS was in July this year, found to have presented invalid insurance security for the takeover of ECG assets. Following months of investigations, the government in a letter signed by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, announced plans to terminate the deal, adding that a restrictive tender process will be used in selecting a new concessionaire by December 31, 2019.
The letter dated 18 October 2019 indicated that “following consultations with Government, we wish to emphasize that Government remains strongly committed to the Compact and to private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana.
“We also wish to reiterate the position communicated to the CEO of the MCC by the President of Ghana during their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23rd to the effect that, the current concession had to be terminated in view of the facts uncovered regarding the failure by PDS to satisfy conditions precedent under the relevant transaction documents AND, however, that every effort would be employed to ensure a suitable replacement within the relevant timelines in order to complete the Compact.
Biggest Corruption Scandal Ever?
Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a press conference on Monday demanded the Finance Minister, and others who caused the PDS brouhaha should be sacked.
"We also demand the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, the Minister of Energy, Peter Amewu, and the prosecution of all officials who played a role in this stinking scandal for the offense of Willfully Causing Financial Loss to the state among others."
"Finally, we demand that the Akufo-Addo government completely abandons the idea of engaging in the proposed restrictive tender process for the selection of a new concessionaire with immediate effect, pending the total clean up of all relevant state institutions and actors who are responsible for this mess," the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said at the press conference.
Reinstate PDS In 10 Days Or,....
In a related development, Ghana's decision to terminate the concession deal with PDS appears not to have gone down well with the US government.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has in a letter to Ghana's Finance Minister, requested the government of Ghana to lift the suspension of the LAA, BSA and GSA and cause the Energy Commission to also lift the Retail Supply License of PDS.
The MCC further wants government to reinstate the PDS concession right by October 20, or risk losing the second tranche allotment of $190 of the Compact II.
Additionally, Ghana will also not be considered for the MCC Compact III.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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