Mahama to inaugurate Bui Power Project Thursday
The multi-million dollar Bui Hydro Power Project in the Banda District in the Brong Ahafo Region has been completed.
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President John Mahama will on Thursday, December 19, 2013 officially inaugurate the Bui Generating Station, which is expected to produce 400 megawatts of power.
The Sino Hydro Corporation Limited of China, the contractor on the project, is scheduled to hand it over to the government on the day of the inauguration.
An official of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), said the project partners promised to complete the work and hand it over in 2013, and truly, they had kept their word.
However, he said, even after the inauguration, the authorities would ensure that the contractors undertook finishing touches, including the general cleaning of the site to beautify the surroundings.
The BPA and its Chinese counterparts are making feverish preparations to receive the President government officials, Members of Parliament (MPs), as well as other dignitaries, who would attend the ceremony.
Commencement of project
On August 24, 2007, former President John Agyekum Kufuor performed the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of work on the Bui Hydroel Power Project but actual work started in 2008.
The project was funded with a concessionaryconcessional loan of US$263.5 million and a buyer’s credit of US$298.5 million from China and EXIM Bank respectively, while the government contributed US$60 million.
The Bui Dam project is primarily designed to generate hydroel power but will eventually, also be used to irrigate 30,000 hectares of land for agricultural production, among other benefits.
After its inauguration, it is expected that the Bui Dam will serve as a catalyst for development in the immediate vicinity and other parts of the country.
