Govt to undertake rescoping of Pwalugu multipurpose dam project — President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that the government will commence the process of rescoping the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project as well as the re-evaluation of the various phases of the project.

He disclosed this at a grand durbar held at the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park last Thursday during his ‘Thank You’ tour of the regional capital.  

The ceremony was attended by a large crowd of residents and members of the area, including paramount chiefs from all the 18 paramountcies in the region.

The well-attended event was interspersed with dance performances from dance groups from Bawku and Tongo.

President Mahama indicated that the Minister of Finance had been tasked to commence rescoping of the much-awaited multipurpose dam project and the re-evaluation of its various phases for inclusion into the Big Push infrastructural financing programme.

Additionally, he said, the government was exploring the use of Ghanaian civil engineering expertise towards the construction of the world class project to bring relief to the residents in the catchment area.

Background

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod on November 29, 2019 for the construction of the multipurpose dam in Pwalugu in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region.

The former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers of state, Members of Parliament and traditional rulers, including the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area in the North East Region, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, attended the ceremony.

The project, estimated at $993 million is expected to address three main issues, namely provision of water for irrigation, generation of electricity and control of the annual flooding of communities in the Upper East and North East regions.

It is also expected to control the perennial flooding in the five northern regions caused by heavy rains and the spillage of the Bagre dam in Burkina Faso.

The multi-purpose dam project is being executed by Sinohydro, a Chinese company, while the Volta River Authority (VRA) is responsible for the power generation and food control component of the project.

The Ghana Irrigation Development Authority is responsible for the irrigation aspect of the project.

Gratitude

Further, he expressed gratitude to the people for their unwavering support to the National Democratic Congress throughout the Fourth Republic.

“I embrace your trust with a deep sense of humility and an unshakable commitment to work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in me and the NDC as a political party,” he said, and further assured them that they would receive their fair share of the national cake. 

Writer’s email; gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.