I don't have the power to terminate contracts - Afeti

Ho, Nov. 26, GNA - Dr George Mawusi Afeti, Principal of Ho Polytechnic, on Tuesday asserted that he did not wield the power and authority to terminate any contract approved by the Polytechnic's Development Committee and awarded by its Tender Board.

Referring to the termination of a 600 million cedis contract awarded by the Architectural and Engineering Services Company (AESL) to Inter-Global Aluminium Company Limited for glazed aluminium sliding doors and windows to a computer laboratory under construction, Dr Afeti said he only communicated the decision of the Development Committee to the AESL.

He said the decision to terminate the contract was based on the high cost involved and because the AESL acted unilaterally in awarding the contract instead of it being discussed and approved by the Development Committee for the Polytechnic's Tender Board to award it.

Dr Afeti gave these explanations when Journalists quizzed him over his alleged unilateral termination of the contract.

He said the Development Committee was also of the view that such doors and windows stood a high risk of being mishandled by the students.

Dr Afeti said the fact that he signed the letter from the Development Committee to the AESL terminating the contract did not mean that he took a unilateral decision to terminate that contract.

Dr Afeti explained that the award of contracts at the Polytechnic was "governed by PNDC Law 321 and the Statutes there-from".

"Specifically, contracts for infrastructure development projects are awarded by the Tender Board of the Polytechnic after such projects or project proposals have been duly considered and approved by the Development Committee of the Polytechnic Council" he explained.

"The Development Committee and not the Principal, is the statutory organ responsible for approving projects for consideration by the Tender Board," he asserted.

He said the exchange of views between a Client and its Consultant on a project proposal could not form the basis for the award of contract without the authority of the Polytechnic Tender Board.

Dr Afeti explained that award of contracts at the Polytechnic had nothing to do with the Regional Tender Board and that the AESL was acting as a private, not a public sector consultant to the Polytechnic.

He said the entire contract for the construction of the Computer laboratory with a few modifications was 1.2 billion cedis and was being funded by the GETFUND and that there was no money to bear the additional cost of 600 million cedis for the glazed aluminium doors.

Dr Afeti appealed to the media to be circumspect and not lend itself to the whims of people who out of ignorance and malice might seek their help to tarnish the image of people who were only carrying out their official duties.