Former Deputy Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Adansi-Asokwa has taken on government for diverting gas from the West African Gas Pipeline. The Volta River Authority in August ceded some 60 million British Thermal Units meant for the Aboadze Thermal Plant to the Asogli Power Plant for electricity generation. The Former Deputy Energy Minister K. T. Hammond however said there was no basis for the diversion especially when it was done without the authority of parliament. The issue came up Wednesday morning when the Energy Mnister, Dr. Oteng Adjei took his turn in Parliament to answer questions about his sector. “What is the technical or commercial reason for that gas being given to this private company, rather than to Takoradi/Aboadze Plant on behalf of the country? Responding, the deputy Energy Minister said the decision was taken in the best interest of the country. He explained that the government realized that “the reserve margin we were having in the country was so small that if we sent all the gas to Aboadze we may bring the price down but a little problem in the peak period will cause the whole system to collapse. So we decided that here we are with a private investment sitting down needing only about 18 million cubic feet of gas, to bring on board at least 100 megawatts [of power] to ensure that we cater for the low reserve margin.” Source: Joy News/Ghana