The minority NDC in parliament say they can “smell a rat” in the government’s explanation on the acquisition of 50 Peugeot vehicles for the police.
They have therefore rejected government’s official position and described it unacceptable. Consequently, the group has asked for an “honest admission “of the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the cars.
Reacting to Minister for information and Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey’s statement on the funding of the vehicles, the Minority MPs said the assertion by the Minister that the vehicles were funded from the provisional estimates of the 2002 budget was contradictory to its earlier statement that no payment had been made on the first consignment of the vehicles.
A statement signed by John Mahama MP and circulated to the media explained that the provisional estimate of 820 million cedis made under the budget for the Police Service could only pay for eight cars given the cost of each car at $13,800. On a more suspicious dimension, the minority MPs challenged the government to have brought the deal to parliament for approval since it was an international transaction.
They therefore criticised the terms of the agreement governing the purchase of vehicles suggesting that the government has a penchant for circumventing the authority of parliament.
The statement pointed out that the minority would support efforts at equipping the Police Service to efficiently carry out its duties but will also ensure that all transactions the conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
Already some among the party’s leadership keep hinting that the 50 peugeot vehicles could be the smartest way of redeeming what they say is the handshake from the Sahara Oil liftage.
Source: GhanaWeb
