Energy Minister John Peter Amewu is suspecting sabotage with political undertones following the hacking down of a GRIDCo pylon which has affected supply of electricity in parts of Tema.

The pylon which transmits power from Karpower and AKSA to the national grid tumbled down from the base onto another Monday dawn but checks by the minister and personnel from the police CID indicate the pylon was deliberately hacked down.

A visibly disappointed Amewu told journalists after taking them round the GRIDco station “this is a complete sabotage.”

Chemical substance

Hon. John Peter Amewu

He said the team “detected corrosive white chemicals placed around some of the pylons to make it easier for them to be hacked down.

Apart from the pylon which was hacked down, two others also have the same chemicals on them, the minister told journalists.

At a time when government is working assiduously to normalize the supply of electricity, John Peter Amewu wondered why anyone will harbor such evil motive and plunge the country into darkness.

He said if people were ready to kidnap pregnant women in the country to cause disaffection for the government, this sabotage should not come at a surprise.

In an interview with Joy News, the Minister described the perpetrators as “unknown criminals” but promised the law will deal with them.

According to him, the police CID have begun investigations into the sabotage and will get to the bottom of the attack.

He said there is a beefing up of security at all national assets and charged all Ghanaians to be vigilant in protecting national assets.

Minority Reaction

The Minority Ranking Member on the Energy sub committee of Parliament Adam Mutawakil did not deny the element sabotage.

He vehemently condemned the act but charged the minister to look beyond politics.

He said the sabotage could come from anywhere, including angry GRIDCO workers who have not been paid.

“We must look it in a non-political manner,” he said, adding, the “Energy sector has financial challenges. GRIDCO workers have low morale. An angry worker is capable of anything.”

He charged the police to widen the scope of investigation.

He was quick to dissociate the NDC from any allegation of sabotage, saying, the NDC will not engage in anything that will put national assets at risk.