Over 200k misused by 3 assemblies in Volta region – NDC

The Communication team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta region has alleged that some three District Assemblies in the region have misappropriated more than GHS200, 000.00 of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in 2017 and 2018.

The party in a press release said the Assemblies — Kpando Municipal, Ketu South and North Dayi districts doled out the huge amount in executing some illegal contracts.

“We are horrified about the sheer heartlessness, negligence, virtual collusion and grand corruption presided over by President Akufo Addo appointed MMDCEs in the Volta Region as captured in the 2018 Auditor General’s report,” the NDC said in the release signed by its Volta Regional Communication Officer, Kafui Agbleze and his deputy, Bright Kugbeadzor.

Allegations

The Kpando Municipal Assembly, the NDC alleged, in August last year had a disagreement with Total Filling station over excessive consumption of fuel by officials of the Assembly without regulations.

The management of the fuel station sent the case to court, winning a default judgement in the sum of GHS 36,712.45 inclusive of 32% interest and cost awarded, which is sadly twice the cost in contention.

“We are shocked the Assembly had no records of fuel drawn but paid GHS6,000.00 on account with PV number 25/8/18,” the party said.

At North Dayi, the Auditor General’s report revealed that the North Dayi District on 27th November 2018 procured some telecommunication gadgets worth GHS57, 350.00 including installation of the equipment but all the items were not delivered although the money was paid to their client, Messr Imation Ltd.

The report says “POE switch (24 port), the quantity in the original bill was two (2) however one (1) was supplied, Face plate and key stone jack, twenty one (21) was in the original bill of quantity and zero (0) was supplied, box board, twenty one(21) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied, 50×100 trunking, forty (40) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied, Screw and accessories, one (1) and zero (0) was supplied and 9U cabinet, two (2) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied.”

In Ketu South Municipal, a four year Sanitation Improvement contract was signed with Zoomlion Company Limited in 2014 under the NDC led administration, the Assembly is to pay a Service fee of “GHS 46,280 and GHS 42,000 per quarter respectively to be deducted at source by the Administrator of DACF” but under the NPP regime in 2017 and 2018, “quarterly sum of GHS 57,000 and GHS 46,000 were deducted for the third and fourth quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018 respectively, resulting in an over deduction to the tune of GHS 45,750 for the service provider.”

Below is the full release

CORRUPTION IS ALIVE AND RIFE UNDER THE NANA ADDO LED GOVERNMENT

We are horrified about the sheer heartlessness, negligence, virtual collusion and grand corruption presided over by President Akufo Addo appointed MMDCEs in the Volta Region as captured in the 2018 Auditor General’s report.

First of all, to have the Auditor General report that financial irregularities under President Akufo Addo’s watch in the year 2017 is about 1,500% more than that of 2016 is scandalous, repugnant and flies in the face of President Akufo Addo’s claim of being committed to protecting the public purse.

Now, according to the 2018 report, the North Dayi assembly on the 27th November 2018 contracted Messrs Imation ltd for the supply and installation of intercom facility at a contract sum of Ghc 57,430.00.

It was noted that the items which were included in the bills of quantity in the original contract were not supplied by the contractor even though the total contract sum had been paid by the assembly.

The following are the items in the original bill of quantity.

1.POE switch(24 port). The quantity in the original bill was two (2) however one (1) was supplied.

2.Face plate and key stone jack. Twenty one (21) was in the original bill of quantity and zero (0) was supplied.

Box board, twenty one(21) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied.

50×100 trunking, forty (40) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied.

Screw and accessories, one (1) and zero (0) was supplied.

9U cabinet, two (2) in the bill of quantity and zero (0) supplied.

This according to the auditor generals report brings to Ghc 14,939.00 over payment done by the North Dayi assembly to Messrs Imation ltd. We as NDC in the Volta region strongly holds the view that the action of the North Dayi assembly head by its chief executive is in violation of section 7 of the public financial management act, 2016. ( Act 921).

We have noted also that in Ketu South municipality according to the auditor generals report, in January 2014 the Ketu south municipality signed a four year contract with Zoomlion Ghana covering 2014- 2017 year period to provide sanitation improvement packages (SIP) and to disinfect and fumigate certain areas within the municipality.

The service fee for SIP and disinfection and fumigation were Ghc 46,280 and Ghc 42,000 per quarter respectively to be deducted at source by the Administrator of DACF.

It was observed according to the report that a quarterly sum of Ghc 57,000 and Ghc 46,000 were deducted for the third and fourth quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018 respectively, resulting in an over deduction to the tune of Ghc 45,750 for the service provider. This is day light robbery and the milking of the state’s meager resources.

In Kpando Municipality an agreement was entered into with a total filling station to draw fuel on credit basis.

There was disagreement between the manager of the filling station and the Kpando Municipality over the quantity of fuel drawn.

The case was sent to court and instead of the Municipality paying Ghc18,409.41, the court passed a DEFAULT JUDGMENT in favour of the complainant which the Assembly was to pay a total of Ghc 36,712.45 inclusive of 32% interest and cost awarded, which is sadly twice the cost in contention.

We are shocked the Assembly had no records of fuel drawn but paid Ghc 6,000 on account with PV number 25/8/18.

The negligence on the part of the municipality has resulted in this needles judgement debt which could have been used for developmental projects within their area of operation.

We in the NDC see the call by the president to protect the public purse as a charade, because under his regime corruption-related scandal is well and alive in Ghana and breaks everyday, making it “One Day, One corruption related scandal”

Signed:

Volta NDC Regional Communication Outfit

Sorkpa K. Agbleze ( VRCO)

Del Bright Kugbeadzor ( DRCO)