BOST saga: Useless BNI report a cover up - Minority Member

A Minority member in Parliament, Adam Mutawakilu has lashed out at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and National Security for covering up the rot at BOST. This comes after the security agencies cleared the Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST), Alfred Obeng of any wrongdoing in the controversial sale of five million litres of off-spec fuel.

Speaking to a journalist in Parliament Tuesday July 4, Minority ranking member on Mines and Energy, Adam Mutawakilu, questioned the credibility of the report produced by the BNI, describing it as "lousy".

Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko at a press conference Tuesday, quoted the BNI report as saying the BOST boss Alfred Obeng cannot be held culpable for the contamination of the fuel.

But Mutawakilu charged the President and the Vice to be truthful to Ghanaians and investigate the issues properly.

“Government must take Ghanaians a little serious", he stated.

Minority had called for the dismissal of the MD following the revelations, insisting that they had evidence to prove that two companies Movenpiina and ZupeOil have links to the BOST MD, an allegation both companies have been quick to deny.

The BNI and National Security however in their reports dismissed the allegations and cleared the BOST MD of any wrongdoing.

In his address to the press, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrissu said the clearance is a mere "gargantuan cover up on a matter which is fraudulent and we believe that this action of the BNI can only be sowing the seed of corruption in our country and also allowing and preventing sunshine on matters that are of public interest.”

“The mere selling of contaminated oil matter to motorists, the mere admission of the regulator, the NPA to the extent that they were unaware and they had not licensed a particular entity also raises major issues as to which entity, registered or not registered that the state should be dealing with"

The BNI would have to come public to share with us what they have investigated and what their findings are and not just a mere statement to the effect that the Minister should dissolve his committee,” he added. “We are already aware of an internal turf between the ministry and other players within government.

This recent development, we find unacceptable and therefore if the president means well in fighting corruption, he should not be seen supporting any cover up and must allow the ministerial committee to proceed henceforth with full investigation of the matter and report publicly or they may as well say that they are not interested in any other matter of public interest,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.