DIC accused of fishy deal in sale of WVLC

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - The National Secretariat of the Timber and Woodworkers Union (TWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has accused the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) of engaging in a fishy deal in the sale of the Western Veneer and Lumber Company (WVLC) to Messrs ASD Lumber Ghana Limited.

A statement signed by Mr Joshua Ansah, General Secretary of TWU said the Union had obtained intriguing information that the "would-be" purchasers of the WVLC had paid only 20 per cent of the undisclosed sale price and were to spread the balance over three years while also permitting it to work with the acquired assets of the company and pay the balance later.

The statement said: "This shocking disclosure seriously contradicts the real situation on the ground as spelt out in the DIC's letter dated October 11 and addressed to the management of the WVLC. According to the statement the letter signed by Mr J K A Wiredu, Acting Executive Secretary of the DIC said in paragraph two that "ASD Lumber on their part have accepted the offer and in accordance with its terms have effected the first and second instalment payments to government and that "the DIC at this stage is also required to grant ASD Lumber the right of entry into the WVLC".

"In view of the so-called 20 per cent of the sale price so far paid by ASD Lumber, the DIC has deceived the public that the entire sale price had been paid" the statement observed. It said the Union would challenge the DIC to come out publicly with the total price offered and how much had been paid so far to ensure probity and accountability in the sale. The Union expressed regret that since its agitation for a fair deal for the workers of the company began neither the sector ministry nor the DIC had thought it prudent to consult it or communicate with it on any way of resolving the impasse.

It called for a tripartite meeting to resolve the matter in accordance with section 65 of the Labour Act 651, cautioning that until the last pesewa of the workers' severance benefits were negotiated and paid the Union would not allow any new investor into the company's premises.