The Deputy Minister of Power John Abdulai Jinapor has served notice to the concessionaire to be selected under the Power Compact 2 project that staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG) should not be laid-off.
According to Mr. Jinapor, the job security of the staff of ECG is non-negotiable as government has communicated same to the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), implementers of the project and the International Financial Corporation (IFC), the transaction advisors.
Government, through the Ministry of Power, ECG and MiDA has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) from local and international companies to identify a qualified private partner to invest in the company, and operate the distribution business of ECG through a Public-Private Partnership.
Speaking at the launch of a road show on private sector participation in ECG, John Jinapor assured the staff of ECG that government would take measures to ensure their welfare is protected.
“We expect investors to be mindful of the need to ensure the continues working of the Ghanaian staff who have kept ECG until now and is important that we affirm this”, he said.
Mr. Jinapor stated that there have been a lot of apprehension and concern especially from the staff of the ECG leading to misinformation.
“People claim that immediately the concession takes effect all the staff of ECG would be laid off, some say there will be victimization as other say there would be a lot of layoffs”, he said.
He, however stated that government has informed MiDA and the IFC that employees of ECG will rather benefit and not lose due to the process.
“I want to assure that we shall take steps to protect your welfare and to ensure that you benefit because you are the direct employees of the company”, he said.
He assured that the security and concerns of the workers is a major issue for government and so will be protected.
Currently over 40 companies comprising local and foreign, have expressed interest to partner government in transforming ECG.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Development Authority, Engineer Owura K. Sarfo disclosed to Citi Business News that, MiDA has been explaining the procedures to the investors.
“An acceptable private partner in the ECG project must leverage private capital to address operational and commercial competencies necessary for specific challenges of ECG’s operations”, he cited.
He added that an investor must bring on board initiatives that is sensitive to local customs but meets international standards.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana