Government has withdrawn an amount €1.7 million
(GH¢7, 513,154.34) allocated for the construction of a bungalow after the
Minority expressed outrage at the amount.The bungalow, to be built for
the Vice Chancellor of the proposed University of Environment and Sustainable
Development, will now cost €540,000 (Ȼ2,386, 531.38).
This represents
a difference of Ȼ5,126,622.96 which is twice the new cost tabled by the
government.
The Minority raised questions about the amount after
Parliament approved a €38 million (Ȼ168,047,360) loan agreement between Ghana
and the Deutsche Bank for the development of the university to be situated at
Somanya in the Eastern Region.
Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
found the amount quoted in the agreement preposterous and a complete waste of
resource.
“The Vice Chancellor’s bungalow alone is going to cost us as a
nation €1.7 million, where are we headed as a nation?”
“This is so
dangerous for the economic health of this country. Why are we being too
profligate?” he queried.
Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent, Elton
Brobbey reports the amount has subsequently been withdrawn and a new one
detailing the commercial agreement for the construction of the
university laid.
Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Adwoa Safo
welcomed the development.
She said Ghanaians, “are getting value for
money and in government contracting, it is very important to have comparative
analysis of the costing and pricing of a contract.”
She urged that in
subsequent agreements, government should not wait until questions are raised
before ensuring that there is value for money audits in contracts.
“The
value for money audit should be done before anything else,” she
said.
Elton also says the initial €38 million approved has been
withdrawn. Parliament has rather approved €45 million (Ȼ197,051,395) for the
construction of the university. |
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