The Upper East Region’s Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project has drawn considerable criticism from the Minority in Parliament because to its projected delays.
Despite spending $12 million on the project, they claim there hasn’t been any work on the property.
Speaking to reporters on the scene, Yapei-Kusawgu MP John Jinapor declared that all parties engaged in the transaction, which has already cost the state $12 million, will be looked into and put on trial.
He commented:
“We will activate all the parliamentary processes to retrieve that amount of money, almost 200 million cedis that has been dashed to this contractor. Somebody must be held accountable. $12 million can do a lot in this country.
“So we’ll use every legitimate means, every legal means to retrieve the money and punish those who have caused this financial crime and financial loss to the state,”
His remarks follow a visit by the Minority leadership on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament to the site of the highly-discussed $1 billion Pwalugu Multipurpose irrigation dam. This dam was expected to be completed this year, following its commissioning in 2019.
Led by ranking member Hon. John Jinapor, the Committee visited the village chief of Kurugu in the Northeast region before proceeding to the project site. However, upon arrival, they found only an empty land with sold-out chippings and stones that were initially brought in by the contractor.
Despite funds reportedly being allocated for the relocation of communities, the supposed affected communities were still in place. The chiefs stated that they had not been approached regarding any relocation plans.
The project was supposed to include building a Roller Compacted Concrete dam near the Pwalugu Bridge on the White Volta River, with a reservoir covering 262 square kilometers. Additionally, a powerhouse with two Kaplan turbines generating 60 megawatts and a 50-megawatt solar power plant were planned.
An irrigation scheme involving a 20-meter-high water weir and canal network for approximately 25,000 hectares of land was also part of the project. Among the delegation were Hon. Edward Bawa MP for Bongo, Deputy National Communication Officer of the NDC Malik Basintale, Regional Communication Officer of the Upper East, Jonathan Abdullah, and others.
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