Bui City Project: Asiedu Nketiah is being irresponsible or mischievous- NPP

Fred Oware, First Vice Chairman of the NPP explaining issues to the media   The former Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority, Mr. Fred Oware has described comments by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who has threatened to haul former President John Agyekum Kufuor before the Bui Power Authority to account for his stewardship as “irresponsible.” The NDC scribe had threatened to sponsor the invitation of the former president who was the chairman of the Authority, to face the Bui Power Authority to answer questions regarding funding for the project if what he calls “lies” from the opposition New Patriotic Party do not seize. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah further blamed the past administration for not leaving behind any document that could help with the implementation process. But at a press conference attended by some leading members of the NPP, Mr Fred Oware who is also the First Vice Chairman of the NPP, debunked assertions by the NDC scribe that there were no documents, minutes of board meetings or funding for the successful implementation of the project, insisting that “such irresponsible statements can only come from one who does not read materials sent to him" or one who "plainly chooses to be mischievous.” According to Mr. Oware, a look into the Bui Hydroelectric Project, EPC/Turnkey Project Contract Volume 1 Schedule of Payment, subsection No. 17 Provisional Sum would reveal that various funds were allocated for specific aspects of the project. He said a total of $28 million was made available to cater for Employers Permanent Facilities, Irrigation Structures and Facilities for Resettlement. He said “additionally, there was a sum of $12 million under Schedule No. 2 Road and Bridge Works, which was to be applied to road works within the proposed City.” Mr. Oware is of the view that the reasons why the government requires more funding than initially anticipated to complete the project is because the Mills-led government froze all contract payments for the first six months of 2009 which attracted penalties. This, he said, has also pushed back the completion date from 2012 to 2013. He indicated that in view of the government’s quest to increase local content, the current “board has appointed a number of subcontractors to undertake the resettlement housing, with charges higher than the Chinese rates,” adding “the Chinese contractors continue to supervise the resettlement project so they will charge a percentage of the subcontractor’s fees which are additional losses to the state.” Mr. Oware further raised red flags over a company purported to be owned by Mr. Asiedu Nketiah which he said is the only block manufacturing company for the entire resettlement project. He stated that “the higher prices charged by him (Asiedu Nketiah) ultimately affect the project cost.” He promised parliament of some interesting revelations if it critically examines the composition of government’s request for an additional US$118 million to complete the project. Mr. Oware revealed that he had even offered to help to work on the project without taking a salary till the end of his five years contract but the government has not gotten back to him since he was told that he would be contacted when the need arises. He said there is no reason why the then chairman of the Authority, former President Kufour should be asked to answer questions when the Chief Executive responsible for the daily activities of the project is available. He therefore cautioned Asiedu Nketiah that if he “succeeds in calling President Kufour for public hearing, further details would be made of his own contribution to the difficulties he is complaining about.” Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana