The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has called for the prosecution of MISAQ, the private company that was allegedly involved in the dismantling of the Osagyefo Power Barge at Effasu-Mangyea.
The MP said the action of the private company constituted illegality, because it dismantled 90% of the Barge without recourse to due process.
Madam Affo-Toffey made the call in Parliament last week Friday, after the Deputy Minister of Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, had responded to her questions on the state of the Osaagyefo Barge.
The Deputy Minister, in his response on the floor of the House, explained that the Ministry had directed the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) to take over the ownership of the Power Barge.
However, due to a legal dispute, the GNPC could not embark on maintenance on the Barge throughout the arbitration period, which has led to the deteriorating of the barge.
“Upon receipt of these letters, the GNPC visited the Barge sites and immediate communities and key government agencies to ascertain the condition of the barge.
“From the interactions from these communities, it was ascertained that the company had already commenced the removal of some parts”, the Deputy Minister told Parliament.
Reacting to the development, the Jomoro Legislator indicated that “the Minister confirmed that a private company called MISAQ, without proper authorisation and due processes, has significantly, dismantled the Osaagyefo Power Barge and sold off the components”.
Madam Affo-Toffey continued “what surprised me the most is that till today, there has not been any legal action taken against the company that did this illegal act, rather, the government is seeking to share the proceeds from the illegal sale of the power barge”.
“As the MP for the area, I am demanding that the right thing would be done. The company that dismantled the 90% of the barge be brought to law”, the MP said.
“And also, I am demanding a full-scale forensic audit into the disposal of the barge,” she added.
