Volta star textiles reopens following restoration of electricity supply
The Volta Star Textiles Limited (VSTL) at Juapong in the Volta Region has resumed poduction following reconnection of electricity to the factory.
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Electricity supply to the factory was disconnected on April 22 by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for the non-payment of an accumulated electricity bill of GH¢1.94 million.
The reconnection deal was brokered by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is said to have pleaded with the ECG to consider the factory which was a lifeline of the people, many of whom derived their livehood from its operations.
ECG proposal
The Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of VSTL, Mr John Akowuah, disclosed that the ECG had wished the payment of 75 per cent of the outstanding bill and the balance spread over six months.
He, however, explained that the company could not afford to pay the bill under present circumstances when it could not pay six months salary arrears of its workers.
Bail out
On the payment of salary arrears, Mr Akowuah said the company would seek a bailout from the Export Development and Agricultural Investment
Fund (EDAIF) to resolve the issue.
When the VSTL was closed down, 1,220 workers were sent home due to the disconnection of electricity supply.
When the Daily Graphic visited the company last Wednesday,all the workers had reported and working in three shifts.
