Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh will in the coming days appear before Parliament to brief the House on the Akosombo Dam spillage that caused flooding in parts of the Eastern and Volta Regions.
The Minister during an engagement with the press in Parliament said he is ready to appear before the August House to bring them and the nation up to speed on the steps taken to tackle the problem.
The Energy Minister’s engagement with the media was a follwo up to a request by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu for officials of the Volta River Authority (VRA) to apepar before the Law making chamber to provide answers to questions on the spillage that has rendered many homeless in some parts of the Volta and Eastern Regions.
“I believe we may need to find answers to some questions. The Speaker is not yet here, when the Speaker comes, we will have some discussions with him and I believe it is important for us to invite VRA to come and fully brief the House about what has been happening, the repercussions, and how to avoid any future such events,” the Suame MP had said during a Parliamentary sitting.
And Dr. Opoku Prempeh believes responding to questions on the floor of the House is apt.
“Even though VRA is under the Ministry of Energy, we take responsibility that it is a national disaster, it is an emergency, it is not only affecting people south the dam, it is affecting people north the dams, from the Bui Power on the White Volta. We need a comprehensive statement and understanding.
“I would have begged for even a longer time but since this house needs to also be informed of what is going on and government activities, I am not the lead government agency, there is an inter-ministerial advisory committee headed by somebody but we will take responsibility and come and tell you what VRA did and VRA hasn’t done.
“…Till when we finish with everything we can all settle and listen and have a dispassionate opinion on this matter,” he said while speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, October 31.
The Manhyia South MP added that he will avail himself at any given date to answer all the pressing questions in Parliament.
“I do pledge that if it is next week Wednesday I will be here with VRA,” he assured.
