Journalist petitions OSP to probe graft at NIA

Nana Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a presenter with Accra 100.5 FM, popularly called Bobie Ansah, has formally requested the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate alleged corruption at the National Identification Authority (NIA).

In his petition, Ansah outlined several concerns, including procurements not meeting specifications, overpricing, under-invoicing of VAT, non-transference of Internally Generated Funds (IGF), and the non-submission of signed financial statements. These issues were highlighted in a 2023 audit report on the NIA, a copy of which was attached to Bobie Ansah’s letter.

The petition particularly focuses on Section II – Tender Data Sheet (C. Preparation of Tenders) of the Tender Document number GR/NIA/GD/NCT/FWA/0005/2023. This document pertains to a three-year Framework Agreement for the supply and delivery of tires and batteries. It required that prices quoted in the tender letter by bidders be the total tender prices against the estimated quantities over the agreement period.

According to the audit report, Easytrans Ltd’s tender, submitted on 8 July 2023, was initially adjudged the lowest evaluated cost during the primary procurement process. This led to a three-year multi-supplier framework agreement with two other suppliers. Easytrans Ltd also had the lowest evaluated cost in a request for quotations (RFQ) during the secondary procurement process at the call-off contract stage, ultimately winning the contract for the procurement of 262 tires and 33 batteries.

However, the audit revealed that the unit prices Easytrans quoted in the RFQ on 15 November 2023 were overstated by GH¢356,750.00, an average of 76 percent above the prices quoted in its initial tender document, without any basis or justification.

Ansah emphasized the importance of the NIA in maintaining the integrity of Ghana's national identification system and its impact on governance and public life. He argued that corruption within the NIA erodes public trust and compromises the institution's effectiveness and credibility.

He urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor to initiate a comprehensive investigation into these allegations, expressing confidence that an independent and transparent inquiry would restore public confidence in the NIA and reaffirm the nation's commitment to justice, integrity, probity, and accountability. Ansah assured his full cooperation with the Office of the Special Prosecutor by providing all relevant documents to assist in the investigation.

In his closing remarks, Ansah reiterated his trust in the dedication of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to justice and expressed his eagerness for a prompt and thorough investigation.