Serious concerns have been raised by the Minority in Parliament regarding the stalled progress of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project. 

Despite USD12 million reportedly spent, the project site in the Upper East Region shows no significant development.

During a site visit, MP for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor, expressed frustration and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. 

“We will activate all the parliamentary processes to retrieve that amount of money, almost 200 million cedis that has been dashed to this contractor. Somebody must be held accountable. $12 million can do a lot in this country,” Mr. Jinapor asserted. 

He continued that: “So we’ll use every legitimate means, every legal means to retrieve the money and punish those who have caused this financial crime and financial loss to the state.”

The Minority leadership on the Mines and Energy Committee, led by Ranking Member John Jinapor, visited the USD1 billion project site, initially commissioned in 2019 and expected to be completed this year. 

However, they were met with an empty expanse of land and remnants of chippings and stones from the initial construction phase. Despite funds allocated for community relocations, local chiefs confirmed no such actions had taken place.

The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project was designed to include a Roller Compacted Concrete dam with an elevation of 168 metres above sea level near the Pwalugu Bridge on the White Volta River. It was to feature a reservoir covering 262 square kilometres, a powerhouse with two Kaplan turbines providing 60 megawatts of installed capacity, and a solar power plant generating 50 megawatts. 

Additionally, an irrigation scheme with a 20-metre high water weir and canal network for 25,000 hectares of land was planned.

Mr. Jinapor and his delegation, which included Hon. Edward Bawa, MP for Bongo, NDC Deputy National Communication Officer Malik Basintale, and Upper East Regional Communication Officer Jonathan Abdullah, emphasised the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.