Eight gov't agencies dragged to EOCO for breaching procurement laws

The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has hauled some eight government agencies to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney General for possible prosecution after they allegedly flouted the procurement laws.

The eight, include National Petroleum Authority, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Ghana Water Company Limited and National Lotteries Authority.

The rest are BOST, National Communications Authority, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Electoral Commission.

A ninth agency, the Electricity Company of Ghana, is also under investigation.

The Chief Executive Officer of the PPA, Agyenim Boateng Adjei says the report on the eight have been lodged with the two bodies for further investigations and possible prosecution.

A few months ago, the State launched investigations into how millions were lost through procurement made by institutions involved.

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Administration at the PPA, Mrs. Rhoda Awurabena Appiah had earlier indicated that personnel of some of the institutions in some instances tried skewing contracts through various dubious means during the bidding process.

EOCO is also investigating a number of corruption cases against former officials of the John Mahama government including the former CEO of COCOBOD.

It is investigating reports of alleged rot at the public pension fund, Social Security and Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Background

One of the major breaches within the public service is sole-sourcing by heads of agencies. The Akufo-Addo government swore to end the practice by of sole-sourcing during its tenure in office.

But some officials in NPP government like the Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu have already been accused of breaching procurement rules.

IMANI Africa President, Franklin Cudjoe, has said it is time for heads to roll over the KelniGVG Contract following the removal of the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies.

He alleged that there were procurement violations in the awarding of the $89 million contract over the five-year period at the Electoral Commission.

By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citinewsroom.com/Ghana

 

 

 

 

Source: citifmonline.com