Former chief executive officer of Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Dr Charles Abugre, has called for transparency in the cost involved in the construction of the Pwalugu muti-purpose dam project.
According to him, knowledge about the cost of the dam will help ensure accountability to communities which will be impacted by the construction of the dam. Speaking ahead of a consultative forum which will be held tomorrow, December 21, 2021, by stakeholders, Mr Abugre highlighted some challenges confronting the project.
“First it is important that there is total transparency about the dam [and] what goes into the cost. This is important not simply for accountability purposes but accountability and clarity to all affected persons as to what is in it for everybody. For example, does the cost include the acquisition of the lands where the irrigation facility will be put or will it not include the acquisition of the land? This is very important… So, just some clarity will help a lot in the conversation”.
Dr Charles Abugre
Challenges with Pwalugu dam project
Mr Abugre citing some challenges faced by persons in these communities explained that the name to be given the dam has proven difficult. He revealed that although names might seem very “simple”, it’s important for long-term stability.
The former SADA boss intimated that prior to considering the place to site the dam, an important consideration was with regards to how to reduce the flooding not just for environmental reason but also for social reason.
“So, we always knew that there was an option to site the dam in a number of places. So, options were being looked at. In the end, the siting of the dam is much further away than people anticipate. So, it is in the North-East region, it’s nowhere near Pwalugu. Therefore, it may be necessary, at least for the people in Pwalugu or even where the dam wall is being sited, they are aware that they are happy with the name of Pwalugu for a multi-purpose dam”.
Dr Charles Abugre
The third issue, Mr Abugre highlighted had to do with the land to construct the dam. He noted that prior to leaving SADA, he was part of the conversation on flooding which affected the Upper East region and the “irrigation facility” which is in the North East region.
Mr Abugre noted that it is imperative to make sure the benefit and cost-sharing are balanced between those who will lose their land permanently and those for whom there’s a “bonanza”.
“So, it’s important for us to find out what is being arranged for these flooded areas, in terms of giving them a boost for production. Also, for the irrigated land how is it intended to be divided? Is it intended to be divided in a manner that some of us thought would stimulate a means of production…?”
Dr Charles Abugre
Mr Abugre commended government’s “bold step” to committing to establish the dam. According to him, the dam is potentially “game-changing”, quite expensive and a bold public policy the government has taken.
On November 29, 2019, President Akufo-Addo, cut the sod for the construction of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam Project. The project, which is the single largest investment ever made in the Northern part of Ghana, and estimated to cost US$993 million, would consist of a Hydro-Solar hybrid system of 60 MW Hydro Power and 50 MW Solar Power.
The Multi-Purpose Dam, expected to be completed in four years, would control the perennial flooding in the Northern regions caused by heavy rains and the spillage from the Bagre Dam.
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