President John Mahama has hailed his administration for successfully preventing a looming power crisis caused by scheduled maintenance on the West African Gas Pipeline, a key fuel source for thermal power plants.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed ministers at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, January 22, President Mahama highlighted his government’s proactive steps to secure the country’s energy supply and avoid disruptions.
“The previous government failed to ensure the smooth operation of the energy sector by neglecting to arrange sufficient fuel to power our thermal plants,” the President stated.
He explained that the maintenance work on the gas pipeline posed a significant risk to the country’s electricity supply, particularly in the eastern enclave where thermal plants rely heavily on this fuel source.
To mitigate this risk, the government undertook measures to deliver alternative fuel supplies to the thermal plants ahead of the pipeline’s shutdown.
“Through determined efforts, I can report that we have averted the looming threat of power outages. Fuel is now being delivered to the thermal plants in the east in advance of the shutdown,” President Mahama assured.
The President praised newly appointed Energy Minister John Jinapor for his swift and effective response in addressing the crisis.
“I commend the Energy Minister for his hard work and commitment, which have ensured the stability of our power sector during this critical period,” he said.
President Mahama concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring a reliable energy supply for the country, emphasising that the government would continue to prioritise investments and reforms in the energy sector to prevent future challenges.