The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has dismissed as false a social media publication claiming he told Parliament that the contractor for the Pwalugu Dam project had not been paid.
In a statement, Mr. Jinapor said the headline circulating online—“Pwalugu Dam contractor was not paid – Energy Minister reveals”—was a misrepresentation of his appearance before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament.
According to the minister, he did not make the claims attributed to him during the committee’s proceedings, which were broadcast live on television and other media platforms. Instead, he said he clearly informed the committee that the contractor had been paid but later absconded without executing any corresponding work.
Mr. Jinapor said he also told the committee that the matter was under active investigation and had been referred to the Attorney-General’s Department and the Minister for Justice for advice and possible prosecution.
He explained that in response to a follow-up question from the committee chairman, he reiterated that the contractor had not been paid for any work done, stressing that his position had remained consistent throughout the hearing.
The Energy Minister described the publication as false and misleading, warning that such reports undermine public confidence in the management of key national projects. He urged the public and media practitioners to verify information from credible and official sources before sharing it.
Mr. Jinapor added that government remained committed to transparency and accountability in handling issues of public interest.
