The Power Distribution Services (PDS) journey has been fraught with abrasive polemics and suspicions fuelled by opposition politics. Therefore, for us, its termination is the end of a bad dream.
As a complex subject, it presented opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) a haven from which to throw unjustifiable stones at the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), with a view to confusing those who would hardly comprehend the twists and corners contained therein.
For a journey started by the NDC exposing the subtle money-raking corners by the initiators was a call to join swords with the NPP. The rancour generated by the polemics was powered by the usual polarized politics characteristic of our country.
With the coast now clear, thanks to the termination of the deal, there are two options available: another concession which we actually do not need now. After all, the pain we endured with the now dead one is still fresh in our psyches or an outright straightforward management contract through an international tender process. This should be hinged upon a well structured IPO.
Of course, once beaten twice shy is a dictum we must be guided by under the circumstances. Even as we await what to do next which should be soon the decision being time-restricted, it should be one which would be in the best interest of the citizens of this country.
It should also be one not susceptible to political massaging by opposition elements who would attempt anything including squeezing water from a rock.
Those charged with navigating the country out of the choppy waters should take note of what awaits us if the option we stick to fails to deliver the goodies; that should, however, not happen.
We have taken note of the litany of allegations levelled against members of government by a desperate opposition in a bid to whitewash their role in what became an albatross around the neck of government.
The flaws were many and the action taken was in the best interest of government and the people of Ghana.
As custodians of the state purse and charged with the responsibility of making the best use of resources to yield maximum dividends, it is the duty of government to be alert. The NDC would seek to throw spanners into the works once it gets such an opportunity.
A tender process which could be a preferred option, a restricted one of course, should, as the minister pointed out in his correspondence, not go beyond the time remaining.
The integrity and transparency of the procurement process should not under any circumstance be compromised.
<<Print>>