Patrick Yaw Boamah
The Minority in Parliament is demanding answers from Energy Minister John Jinapor following new claims that Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers previously reported as missing were never lost.
According to reports, the containers have been at the Tema Port all along.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, addressing the media in Parliament yesterday, called on the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, to return to Parliament and set the record straight on the alleged disappearance of containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana, insisting the containers were never missing but rather misplaced.
Mr. Boamah expressed deep concern over the reputational damage caused by initial claims that ECG containers had gone missing at the Tema Port, demanding for him to honourably apologise.
According to him, investigations have shown that the containers in question were merely misplaced and later recovered, not stolen or missing as earlier suggested by the minister.
“You have Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), a much respected institution, having protected people’s consignments over the years. Then suddenly, we were told some ECG containers were missing. But from what I’ve gathered, the Minister acted on an interim report, not a final one. These containers were simply misplaced, not missing,” Mr. Boamah explained.
MP Boamah further criticised the premature public disclosure by the Energy Minister, cautioning public officers to exercise restraint when dealing with sensitive matters.
He noted that earlier claims suggested about 1,300 containers were unaccounted for, but subsequent information indicates over 2,600 containers have been recovered.
“So, was it 1,300, 2,600 or 3,000? We need clarity, and that’s why we’ll ask the Minister to return and give us the true position,” he added.
The MP emphasised the need for accountability and integrity in public discourse, stating that the minister owes ECG staff, the public, and Parliament an apology.
“People’s images were dented. Reputations were put on the line. It’s only honourable for the Minister to come back and clarify things,” he said.
Ex-ECG Boss Questioned
Meanwhile, Former Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Mahama, was yesterday invited to the National Security for questioning in connection with the investigation into 2,637 unaccounted-for containers consigned to ECG at the Tema Port.
His caution statement was taken as part of the ongoing investigation; this was confirmed by Richmond Rockson, the spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
He further indicated that some Electricity Company of Ghana staff have been asked to step aside to facilitate an unfettered investigation into the mystery surrounding unaccounted-for containers at Tema Port.
The containers, initially reported to be 1,300 but later found to be more, have accumulated significant demurrage costs.
Mr. Rockson further indicated that the investigative committee, comprising representatives from the National Security, the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and Customs, has discovered that the containers are scattered across various port terminals, including Meridian Port Services and GPHA terminals.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House