Electricity pylons

Unbridled erection of electricity pylons

Osei Kwabena Features Dec - 20 - 2021 , 12:00

Lately, GRIDCo has been erecting pylons very close to existing residential facilities, roads, among others, which poses health and safety risks.

Instances abound in areas such as the Westland in Ayawaso West Wuogon traversing through GIMPA, the Legon–UPSA stretch and a host of other areas where these pylons are put up.

In the Ashanti Region, pylons meant to carry 33,000 kilovolts have been erected from Ejisu to Effiduasi and their proximity to the road and some residential facilities is of great concern.

I am tempted to believe that GRIDCo has capitalised on the ignorance of these rural folks to do that.

Quite unfortunately, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) dotted in the affected areas who are mandated by law to champion the interest of these folks, look on blindly.

I recall that about 30 years ago, some Volta River Authority (VRA) pylons fell somewhere around Ejisu.

The area was then not populated, but considering the havoc it caused to the vegetation beneath, it would have been disastrous.

It seems there is either no central planning authority or synergy among stakeholders involved in this risky exercise.

The earlier the affected bodies sit up, the better.