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'Develop infrastructure for LNG use'

The Member of Parliament for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has challenged the government to develop an infrastructure to encourage the use of liquified national gas (LNG).

This, he explained, would supplement the country's power needs.

He said the sole reliance on the West Africa Gas Pipeline for the supply of gas to fire the country’s energy sector was not the best.

Contributing to the ongoing debate on the President's State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Dr Donkor who was a former Deputy Minister of Energy and Chief Executive of the Ghana Gas Company said the development of an infrastructure for LNG would serve as a security for the country’s energy needs.

He noted that Ghana cannot continue to rely solely on the West Africa Gas Pipeline since in the event of the damage of the line; the country would find itself in a tight corner.

Dr Donkor also called for the development of a gas use policy since gas now had competing uses.

He said it was the provision of such a policy that would direct the country as to how it would use its gas for the production of fertilizer for agriculture purposes or use the product to fire industries, among others.

When he caught the eye of the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, commended the President for bringing hope to the people when he delivered the state of the nation address.

He said it was unfortunate that the Minority had taken an entrenched position not to take part in the debate and asked them to heed to counsel from within and outside the NPP.

Mr Avedzi said news going round suggested that the Minority would participate in both the presentation and debate of the 2013 budget which is expected to be delivered to Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, on March 4, 2013.

He questioned why there should be such selective participation by the Minority, and stated that since the budget would be presented on the authority of the President, the Minority should stick to its principle and boycott both the presentation and debate on the budget.

When he took his turn in the debate, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the government had put in place measures which would yield results to solve the country's energy needs.

He said the theme of the President’s address which focused on providing opportunities for all should give Ghanaians hope that they had a President who would provide opportunities for all irrespective of their political inclination.

Mr Iddrisu said his ministry would ensure that businesses were supported regardless of political consideration since it would enable the country to tap the expertise of all its people.

He announced that both the Komenda and Asutsuare sugar factories would soon be revived to provide the country's sugar needs and also provide employment for the people.

He said the government delivered on its manifesto promises during the first four years of its administration, explaining that it was only those who refused to see who would not acknowledge the achievements of the NDC.

All contributors to the debate called on the NPP to partake in the debate while waiting for the decision by the Supreme Court in the suit filed over the declaration of President Mahama as the winner of the 2012 presidential election.

Story by Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah


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