VRA Employees Express Concerns Regarding Unjust Payments in Energy Sector

Employees of the Volta River Authority (VRA) are voicing grievances regarding what they perceive as inequitable payments within the energy sector.

Last year, an agreement was reached between the government and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to implement a $43 million monthly payment plan aimed at mitigating their financial obligations, which posed a significant risk to the energy industry.

However, VRA staff argue that this agreement needs revisiting, as IPPs contribute significantly less to the system compared to what the VRA generates.

The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of VRA, Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, expressed concerns during an interview with Citi News, emphasizing that this arrangement undermines the operational capacity of VRA.

He warned against potential under-recoveries for energy companies, stressing the urgency of addressing the situation to sustain business operations effectively.

Mr. Tetteh highlighted that State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the energy value chain, particularly VRA, have been left to fend for themselves. Payments received thus far have been insufficient to cover losses and operational expenses.

In light of this, VRA staff are calling for parity in payments, questioning why fixed amounts can be allocated to certain entities while neglecting others like SOEs.