The Member of Parliament in Jomoro Constituency, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has called for the prosecution of the company that was involved in the dismantling of the Osagyefo Power Barge in her constituency.
The MP said the action of the private company, Misag, constitutes an illegality because it dismantled 90% of the barge without recourse to due process.
Madam Affo-Toffey made the call in Parliament after the Deputy Minister of Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, had responded to her question on the state of the Osagyefo Power Barge.
The Deputy Minister, in response on the floor of the House, explained that the Ministry on November 16, 2015, directed the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) to take over the ownership of the power barge.
However, due to illegal dispute, the GNPC could not embark on maintenances on the barge throughout the arbitration which has led to the deterioration of the barge.
“Upon receipt of these letters, the GNPC visited the Barge sites and immediate communities and key government agencies to ascertain the condition of the barge. From the interactions from these communities, it was ascertained that the company had already commence the removal of some parts,” the Deputy Minister told Parliament.
Reacting to the development, the Jomoro MP said, “the Minister confirmed that a private company called Misag, without proper authorization and due processes, has significantly, dismantled the Osagyefo Power Barge and sold off the components”.
Madam Affo-Toffey said “what surprised me the most is that till today, there has not been any legal action taken against the company that did this illegal act, rather, the government is seeking to share the proceeds from the illegal sale of the power barge”.
“As the MP for the area, I am demanding that the right thing would be done. The company that dismantled the 90% of the barge be brought to law,” she demanded.
The Jomoro MP is also demanding an investigation into the dismantling and the sale of the barge.
“And also, I am demanding a full scale forensic audit into the disposal of the barge. I am also calling for the transparency of the barge.”