Probing Blay over 275 buses unnecessary – Presidential staffer

A presidential staffer at the Office of the President has scoffed at calls for the New Patriotic Party’s Chairman, Freddie Blay, to be investigated for the acquisition of some 275 buses.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 NewDay on Tuesday, Fati Abubakar said there is nothing wrong with Freddie Blay’s gesture, adding that calls for a probe into the issue is unnecessary.

“Mr. Blay’s connection with the government is the fact that he is a Board Chairman of the GNPC. He is not even an Executive Director of a state institution, and he is not a minister, hence, he is not directly involved in the administration of the institution. He is not in a position to unilaterally take money from a state agency to use it to support a cause,” she argued.

Freddie Blay who was elected Chairman of the NPP at the party’s national delegates’ conference held at Koforidua on July 7, 2018 had purchased some 275 buses prior to the conference.

The buses were taken delivery of at the port ahead of the party’s conference The buses stirred some controversies, with the minority in parliament calling for a probe into the purchase.

But Fati Abubakar insists that a probe is “not necessary”.

She, however, indicated that anybody suspicious of the purchase can investigate the issue.

She further said the allegation against Mr. Blay is a ploy by the New Democratic Congress to tarnish his “hard earned reputation” because such arrangements are not new.

“There have been several times when individuals have purchased buses, given it to the VIP or STC to operate, charge management fee and also earn some income at the same time,” she said.

“I don’t think this is anything bad”, she added.