Gov’t still committed to Nzema Gas Project

STROY BY: EVANS OSEI BAFFOUR, FROM AXIM W/R

A Deputy Energy Minister in charge of Petroleum, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has disclosed that government is still committed to ensure that the gas project is put to efficient use in fulfilment of its better Ghana promise to Ghana.

He added that government in order to ensure that the gas project is fairly distrusted to serve the best interest of Ghanaians has secured a $1 billion loan agreement from the Chinese government to support the building of the gas plant in the Nzema area of the Western Region.

According to him, the project when completed, will help to revamp the gas sector in the country and solve the acute shortage of gas as well as create employment for about five thousand (5000) youth in the country with priority given to the Nzemas at large.

Mr. Buah made this assertion when he handed items meant for the street lighting projects to the Chiefs and people of Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

He lamented on the persistent shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country adding that it was mainly due to the inadequate gas infrastructure in the country.

The minister recalled that the LPG usage in the country as of the year 2008 was 5,000 metric tons per week but has now increased to 8,000 metric tons a week and over 250,000 metric tons a year resulting in the shortage of supply.

Mr. Buah, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ellembele in the Western Region called on the chiefs and people of Benyin in the Jomoro district who have recently accused him and the maiden Chief Executive of the Ghana Gas Company Limited, Dr. George Sipa Yankey, of a deliberate ploy to relocate the project from the area to Adoabo in his constituency to exercise restraint in their actions.

He mentioned that the project, which is in its piloting stage has not been taken away from them saying experts are currently working to identify the appropriate location for the project.

The youth were called upon to remain calm since the gas project will remain with the Nzemas no matter its location.

He emphasized that the situation is being compounded by the commercial usage of LPG and called for concerted efforts to stop the trend.

“The politicization of national issues will not help us to promote national development and it is time the opposition elements refrain from peddling falsehood regarding sensitive issues,” he noted.

He therefore called for a collective effort by all stakeholders to revamp the gas infrastructure in the country in order to meet the increasing demand of the product.

Mr. Buah, gave the assurance of government’s commitment to subsidize the LPG at a cost of GH¢ 14 million on monthly bases to cushion the people.

The Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area, Awulea Adjefi Kwame, in his remarks lauded the government for its efforts to initiate and implement developmental projects for the people.

The Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Hon. Rev. James Ackah Cobbinah, called on all to support the government for rapid developmental projects in the area.