The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Savelugu Constituency of the Northern Region has debunked claims made by the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC), that the newly constructed Savelugu rice processing factory is non-functional.

The NDC, during a press conference three weeks ago, accused the NPP government and its communicators of peddling falsehood when it comes to the functionality and employment status of the Savelugu rice factory.

But the NPP has fought off the claims by explaining why the factory was not running.

Addressing a press conference in Savelugu, the Constituency Communications Officer of the party Abubakari Abdul Gafaru said electricity to the factory was previously done and completed, however, it was later detected that the transformer which was supposed to power the plant was under capacity, thus resulting in the stalling of operation.

He said efforts are being made by the authorities at Savelugu Municipal Assembly to restore reliable power to the facility.

“As we speak, a new transformer has been secured and its installation is almost done, the lighting challenge of the factory will be worked out and the processing of the rice will start in earnest after cultivation and the harvesting are done,” he said.

Mr. Gafaru also said the claim by the NDC that the factory has no single worker nor beneficiary employees is false.

He said the Savelugu rice factory has nine members working, and a functioning board, and 27 Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) with each group comprising an average of 25 members engaged to cultivate and harvest rice to feed the factory.

“On the whole, the board of the factory has engaged over 700 farm workers who are currently harvesting rice in their respective rice farms as a means of supplying continuous and uninterrupted raw material to the factory,” he said.

The Communications Officer further dispelled another claim that the factory was now a habitat for lizards and grass cutters.

”Have a critical look at the factory and the machines installed, does it look like one that is inhabited by lizards and grass cutters?” Mr. Gafaru asked.

He said NPP governments have over the years performed more creditably  in the Savelugu constituency than the NDC.