adverts
An ongoing investigation has revealed that 1,357 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are unaccounted for at the Tema Port, raising serious concerns over procurement irregularities and financial mismanagement.
According to the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, ECG initially claimed it had 2,491 uncleared containers filled with essential materials such as cables and transformers. However, an independent audit conducted at the port found only 1,134 containers, leaving a shortfall of 1,357.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, expressed deep concern over the findings and pledged a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
adverts
“These containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will ensure that those responsible for this situation are held accountable,” he assured when the committee presented its report.
He further announced immediate reforms, including the separation of ECG’s procurement unit within a week to prevent future irregularities.
The probe uncovered several issues contributing to the missing containers, including:
- Discontinued Fund for Clearing Shipments
- Before 2022, ECG had a dedicated fund receiving weekly allocations to clear shipments.
- This practice was stopped due to reported financial constraints, leading to cargo delays and accumulated port charges.
- Questionable Procurement Contracts
- Despite financial challenges, ECG awarded contracts to two companies to clear the containers.
- One of these companies lacked the necessary licence to execute the contract, raising concerns about procurement violations.
- Procurement Department Mismanagement
- ECG’s Procurement Directorate was merged with the Housing and Estate unit, which experts believe compromised efficiency.
- The Director of Procurement had no professional procurement background and was not a member of any recognised procurement body.
The missing containers, valued at an estimated GH₵1.5 billion, represent a major financial risk for ECG and the country’s power sector. The inability to clear and distribute critical materials could impact the ongoing infrastructure expansion and maintenance of the national power grid.
Next Steps and Reforms
- The government will launch a forensic audit into ECG’s procurement and clearing processes.
- The procurement unit will be restructured to prevent similar lapses in the future.
- ECG will be required to submit a detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the missing containers.
As authorities work to trace the missing shipments, questions remain about how such a massive number of containers could go unaccounted for and who within ECG and the port system may have been complicit.
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
