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VRA staff "vehemently opposed" to Ameri extension

The Senior Staff Association of the Volta River Authority is opposing moves the amend the Build, Own, Operate  and Transfer agreement with Ameri Power.

Under the agreement the power plants contracted by the erstwhile John Mahama led administration to tackle the power crisis at the time, would become properties of Ghana in two and a half years.

The Nana Akufo Addo led administration which inherited the agreement is however seeking to extend its tenure.

Even though it's unclear what is contained in the amendment bill submitted to Parliament, Gold News sources within the Mines and Energy Committe describe the amended deal "terrible."

Government in defence of its claims move says the agreement would ease the burden on the consumer.

The VRA Senior Staff in a statement described the amendment as needless and are convinced it would only make the agreement more expensive to the Ghanaian taxpayer.

The Union is also concerned about the VRA which is suffering financial difficulties under the yoke of the AMERI power deal.

The staff have complained about the huge financial obligations imposed on the VRA by the agreement which forces the VRA to bear virtually all liabilities.

The staff have fingered the agreement as one of th causes of the current financial difficulties of the VRA and believe the amendment bill would provide no relief to the world acclaimed state owned power producer.

The staff in the statement jointly signed by the Chairman of  the VRA Senior Staff Association Cephas Duse and VRA Divisional Chairman of the PSWU of TUC Frank Kaba Adatuu say the circumstances under which the agreement was signed has changed hence an extension is unwarranted.

"The proposed new agreement before Parliament would be morea expensive than the current arrangement and does not make any financial and economic sense to the nation."

"The nation has surplus generation capacity and does not require any new long term take or pay arrangement, more so when when it is inimical to the interest of the nation."

"The staff groups of VRA are vehemently opposed to the passing of the Bill because it will bring more hardship to the good people of our dear country- Ghana," the staff asserted."

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