Nii Lante Vanderpuye, former sports Minister
Former Member of Parliament for New Edubiase constituency, Mr Edward Yakah, has jumped to the defence of former sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye over the alleged misappropriation of the GHc1.6 million meant for the construction of the New Edubiase sports stadium.
According to the former legislator, it will be unfortunate for anyone to accuse the former sports minister because the stadium was awarded as a contract hence there is no possibility for him [Vanderpuye]to misappropriate the money as speculated.
The current Sports Minister, Mr Isaac Asiamah has revealed before parliament that, his ministry cannot trace the source of funding for the New Edubiase Sports Stadium.
According to the Sports Minister, the funding for the project was not captured in the budget for 2015 and 2016, and there is no evidence of sponsorship for the project.
The minister further disclosed that, a payment of one million, six hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred and seventy-one Ghana Cedis (GH?1,650,271.00) had been received in cash by the construction company in charge of the project, Shakdeen Limited from the then Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
But reacting to the story, Mr Yakah recounted that former president John Dramani Mahama announced in parliament and it was captured in the 2016 budget.
"I am not sure the former minister misappropriated the funds. If the current minister has prove to buttress his claim, I suggest we conduct an investigation to unravel the truth.’’
The project he lamented has stalled and wondered why the current administration has failed to show interest in completing the project. We have to establish the truth and that can only be done through a proper probe.
The stadium was one that brought glory to New Edubiase and so, I will ask that we conduct a probe. However, I doubt if the former ministry misappropriated the funds.''
Former President John Mahama cut sod for the construction of the 10,000 seater stadium back in 2016, but the project has since been left unattended, although the current government promised to complete the construction.
The matter has been referred to the National Security for investigation regarding the source of funding.
