The Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Michael Kwasi Aidoo, is calling for a parliamentary probe into the ongoing shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, warning that the delays and technical failures could push Ghana back into a cycle of high energy costs and crippling power shortages.
In a Facebook post, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator challenged claims by the Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) that scheduled maintenance works at the plant had been completed ahead of time. According to him, the facility remains offline due to complications with the changeover of a heat transfer lubricant.
“Accumulated waste was never fully flushed from the system by the appointed contractor, leaving critical piping and heat exchangers clogged and inoperable,” Mr. Aidoo alleged.
He cautioned that the delay is forcing government to spend more on alternative fuels while deepening reliance on Sankofa gas, a situation he said could have long-term implications for the country’s energy security.
The MP also raised questions about contract management at Ghana Gas, singling out a US$416,000 deal awarded to Messrs Blue Power Ltd, one of 28 contractors engaged for the maintenance project.
“On what basis was Blue Power Ltd selected, and what due diligence was performed before awarding this high-value contract?” he queried.
Mr. Aidoo further criticised the reported sidelining and eventual resignation of the company’s deputy chief executive in charge of technical and operations, describing it as a sign of a “culture of silence that risks national energy security.”
He urged Parliament, despite being on recess, to convene a special inquiry into the matter and pressed the Ministry of Energy to act swiftly to prevent the return of “dumsor,” the term widely used by Ghanaians to describe persistent power outages.