Accra, Feb. 24, GNA – Mr William Owuraku Aidoo, Deputy Minister of Energy, says the Pwalugu multipurpose dam Project will generate about 60 MW of hydropower and improve the quality of electricity supply to Northern Ghana.
This is calculated to increase the export of power to Burkina Faso in addition to its solar component of a 50 MegaWatts (MW) solar power plant.
Mr Aidoo told Parliament on Thursday that under the hydropower component, the Volta River Authority (VRA) had already completed all the necessary preparatory activities such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the land valuation, Resettlement Action Plan and acquisition of the requisite permits.
It would also underpin several governments’ flagship programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs, One District One Factory and provide enormous benefits to the people in the Northern Regions.
Mr Aidoo said this on behalf of the Energy Minister on the floor of Parliament when Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri asked him about the significance of the Pwalugu multipurpose irrigation dam project to the people of the Upper East Region and the status of works done since its approval in 2020.
The Deputy Minister noted that the Project would lead to the revival of the Pwalugu Tomato Factory as well as the full utilisation of the Avnash Rice Mill among others.
He said at full production, the Avnash Rice Mill was expected to produce 500 tonnes of rice a year.
“Mr Speaker, other similar factories are expected to be established to provide well-paying jobs as well as contribute to improving the economy of Northern Ghana.
“The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project will benefit about 32,000 farmers as well as over 200,000 transporters, aggregators, agricultural services providers among others,” he said.
“Mr Speaker, Information from the National Disaster Management Organisation indicated that a total of about 69,468 people were affected by flood in the area, with 19 deaths as well as about 27,902 acres of farms affected. The Pwalugu multipurpose dam when constructed would provide a permanent solution to the problem,” Mr Aidoo said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Ministry was liaising with the Ministry of Finance for the release of funds to start construction works on the multi purpose dam.
The Project, which is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Food and Agriculture has two main components.
The hydropower component is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy whereas the irrigation component, is by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
According to the Deputy Energy Minister, the project when completed would provide flood mitigation measures and support to some government flagship programmes.
GNA