“Achimota Forest will not be sold”- Lands Minister

forest

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor has denied reports that the Achimota forest has been sold.

It was reported that Parts of the Achimota Forest in Accra is no longer a forest reserve.

It follows the coming into force of the Executive Instrument 144 gazetted on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 19, 2022.

This means effective May 1, 2022, parts of the Achimota Forest Reserve is no longer a forest reserve.

Read Also: Achimota Forest loses status as forest reserve

Read Also: Gov’t must absorb ECG’s 148% upward adjustment- NDC Communicator

President Akufo-Addo under Executive Instrument 144 has lifted the 1927 classification of the Achimota Forest as a Forest Reserve.

This is to pave way for a redesign, reclassification and development of the area.

The Executive Instrument was gazetted on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

Based on the above, it was rumoured that parts of the Achimota forest has been sold by the government.

But reacting to this, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor wrote on his Facebook page that, “Achimota Forest has NOT and will NOT be sold!!!”

In other news:

Ghanaians kick against tariff increment over poor service from ECG, Ghana Water

quality

The Acting Director, Research and Corporate Affairs at Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Eric Obutey, has explained that stakeholders that kicked against the increment in electricity and water tariffs blamed poor quality service from the ECG and the Ghana Water Company for their rejection of their proposals.

The ECG made a proposal to the PURC, requesting an increase in electricity tariffs by 148 per cent covering 2019 to 2022.

The state power distributor also proposed an average increase of 7.6% in tariff over the next four years to cover Distribution Service Charges (DSC).

“Over the next five years, the DSC will need to increase consistently (average of 7.6%) to cover distribution cost. It is expected that the approved BGC would correspond with the commercial terms of PPAs (Power Plant Agreements)”, it added.

About the same time, the Ghana Water Company Limited also demanded a 334% increase in tariff in their proposal.
Due to this, PURC decided to engage with all stakeholders to examine and approve the electricity tariffs for the 2022-2027 multi-year tariff.
On Monday, May 16, 2022, the PURC began its engagement with stakeholders to collate views and suggestions on the proposals of the various utility companies for adjustment in tariffs.

Read Also: Gov’t must absorb ECG’s 148% upward adjustment- NDC Communicator

Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Dr Eric Obutey said some Ghanaians urged the PURC not to give ECG and Ghana Water Company anything while some said they should be considered.

For those who kicked against the proposals, he said they said the quality of service was not good, complaining that their water was not flowing constantly whiles the lights were also not stable.

For those who said they should be given “something”, Dr Eric Obutey said they claim the lights and water have been fairly stable as compared to before.

For those who said they should be given something, he said they did not come out with a solid percentage, saying the PURC is not done with the analysis yet but will inform the public later about what they generate from the consultations.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

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