NPP group calls for MCE?s removal

A group calling itself ?Mate Meho? NPP held an hour?s demonstration against the Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Muniru Arafat Nuhu, calling on the President to remove him from office.

The group started the procession from the Mfantsipim School junction through Kotokuraba to the offices of the Regional Co-ordinating Council where they presented their petition to the Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze. This is the second demonstration against a District Chief Executive in the region in two weeks.

The first was against the DCE of Ajumako-Enyan Essiam District, Mr Kenneth Obempong, who was alleged to have committed various acts of malfeasance. The petition stated that the MCE is at loggerheads with the Member of Parliament for the area and this has caused divisions in the rank and file of the party.

They also accused him of withdrawing an amount of ?30 million being part of the Emergency Social Relief Fund and depositing it in the personal account of Ms Monica Fogah at the Standard Chartered Bank at Cape Coast. The statement again alleged that the MCE awarded contracts without going through the Tender Board and beneficiary contractors used prisoners as labourers instead of employing members of the municipality.

It also accused him of denying market women their fair share of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF). It also called for a probe into the disbursement of ?600 million accruing from property rates paid to the Cape Coast Assembly with an unknown consultant taking 30 per cent for unseen services rendered.

The petition also asked that the MCE should be stopped from leaving his second official vehicle at the disposal of his wife and driven by his son.

In reaction, Mr Nuhu denied all allegations saying that there are no evidence and data to support the allegations. He said the relationship between him and the MP is very cordial.

He said Ms Fogah is the focal person of the National Commission for Women and Development who withdrew the ?30 million for disbursement to fishmongers and which has since been disbursed to about 57 fishmongers in the municipality.

On the disbursement of the PAF, Mr Nuhu said there is a constituted committee, headed by the Presiding Member, that sees to the disbursement of the PAF.

On the property rate, Mr Nuhu said the assembly contracted Skymount Consult who were able to increase the assembly property rate from ?4 million to ?646 million and were paid 30 per cent of the amount as contained in the agreement.

He said it is the prerogative of the President to remove him as MCE.