The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea has described the $72 million information system software procured by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) which unfortunately isn’t working as distressful.
The software which is known as Operational Business Suite was to help network all SSNIT’s branches nationwide as it would have enabled the Trust to receive real time data directly to its headquarters in Accra and as well enhance administrative efficiency.
According to the NPP Communications Director, the absurd amount of pensioners’ monies spent to buy the software is a total waste and a great loss to the country.
“This SSNIT matter is very very distressing. After spending the incredible amount of seventy-two million dollars ($72 million) of pensioners’ monies to buy software, the software is not even working!!! What a loss. What a waste”, he stated on his Facebook account.
Earlier, a document released by SSNIT indicated that the contract for the development and implementation of a new software for the company cost $34 million and not the $66 million as widely reported.
The project was to automate all the core processes in the administration of pension.
According to the statement, the project varied leading to the unplanned extra charges which later became $66 million and subsequently $72 million in the course of four years, from 2012 to 2016.
The contract which was awarded during the tenure of the NDC government was for a period of eighteen (18) months.
However, there has been a desperate attempt by two NDC gurus to distance themselves from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) $66 million software scandal.
Immediate past board chairman of SSNIT under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Prof. Alabi, had accused the previous board headed by Kwame Peprah from whom he took over in 2013 – granted the approval for the contract. Interestingly, Mr Peprah has also denied paying any money to the contractor, putting the blame on the immediate past Director General, Ernest Thompson.
Following the SSNIT scandal, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is investigating officials of SSNIT for their alleged involvement in the acquisition of the OBS software.
Source: GhanaWeb
