Educationist Prof. David Millar says he will petition President-elect John Dramani Mahama to include the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam in the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy.
Though the project was scheduled to be completed in 4 years time following a sod cutting in 2019 by the Akufo-Addo administration, little work has been done.
A revelation at the Public Accounts committee in May 2024 that close to US$12 million had been spent on preparatory works sparked public outrage with some suggesting a possible financial misappropriation and calling for a probe into the matter.
John Mahama, who was then seeking to be returned to the presidency, promised to institute an inquiry into the payment as part of his First 120 Days Social Contract with the People of Ghana if he is elected.
Following his overwhelming victory in the December 7 polls, Prof. Millar, who is the founder of Millar Institute of Transdisciplinary and Cultural Studies, said while the proposed audit into the money expended is welcoming , it must not be done at the expense of the construction of the dam.
“Everybody knows he has only four years. If you don’t get him to start or to complete what he has offered you, you have lost it,” he stated.
He is, therefore, putting together a petition, requesting the President-elect and the incoming administration to include the construction of the dam in the upcoming budget.
“The Pwalugu multipurpose dam should be included in the upcoming budget. Put it there. If you don’t get it into this year’s budget, it has to wait until next year’s budget.”
He added, “so, you lose one year. So, go on with the audit. But put some amount in the new budget you are preparing for Pwalugu Dam. Even if it is to clear the roads or to start heaping sand, put something there for it so that while you are doing your audit, our dam will be in place”.
Prof. Millar made his intention to petition the President-elect known in an interview on State of Our Nation on Dreamz FM.
