The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, has raised alarm over the activities of encroachers, including welders, traders, and food vendors, on critical gas pipelines at Tema.

Speaking to the media after a stakeholder engagement, he described the situation as a “ticking time bomb,” warning that any leakage or breach caused by hot works such as welding or cooking near the pipelines could trigger a massive explosion with devastating consequences.

“The lines have been encroached totally. If there should be any breach of that pipeline due to gas leakage, the explosion that will occur is massive.

"We are talking about an investment of almost $2 billion in power plants at Tema alone, and if we lose them, it will take about six years to bring them back,” he cautioned.

According to him, the encroachment has forced the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) to hold back on plans to increase gas pressure into Ghana for cheaper power generation, fearing that the current safety risks could lead to disaster.

"WAPCO is trying to do everything possible to increase our volume of gas by increasing the gas pressure, but because of the encroachers, they are not doing anything. So we are limited by the amount of gas that we can take at Tema to help in power generation."

Mr Obeng-Kenzo stressed that, beyond the financial loss, lives would be at risk if urgent steps are not taken to clear the encroachers from the affected areas, particularly around New Tema near the Asogli Power Plant.

“This is a national security matter. The nation cannot afford the loss of lives and investments. We must act now,” he urged.