Committee formed to review VRA transactions

Accra, March 3, GNA - A Review Committee to investigate certain transactions involving the Volta River Authority (VRA) have been constituted by Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Minister for Energy. The transactions are the VRA's Memorandum of Understanding with Clark Sustainable resources, a Canadian Company and the request by VRA for bids, construction and operation of a 330 MW thermal power plant to be located at Tema.

A release signed by Prof. Ocquaye observed that the transactions had been portrayed by some sections of the local media in a manner that cast a slur on their integrity, leaving "various impressions in the public domain."

It said the committee, which was formed on Friday March 3rd, 2006, comprises representatives from the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Ministries of Energy and Finance, the Energy Commission and the Ghana Institute of Engineers.

The release said the committee had been tasked to make thorough investigations into the allegations and report their findings to the Ministry of Energy for further action.

It asked members of the public with information on the allegations to make them available to the Committee through Professor Fred Akuffo, Chairman of the Committee, at the Ministry of Energy room 203 within the next 14 days, during working hours.

It said information could be sent by emailed to the Chairman at foakuffo@energymin.gov.gh.

Meanwhile the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been tasked to investigate allegations made by Dr. Kwamena Hayford to ensure that all the names and information were disclosed to the SFO in the interest of the public. The release said Dr Kwamena Hayford had been reported by the Daily Dispatch to have alleged that highly placed officials had done something untoward in the second transaction and that he would provide evidence at the appropriate time.