News:
April 14, 2011
The Head of the Public Procurement Authority, Samuel Sallas Mensah has described as untrue claims by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that the authority is overseeing the award of dubious government contracts nationwide.
Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu told Citi News on Tuesday that the award of government-sponsored road contracts and other projects have become a major avenue for NDC Government officials to loot Ghana’s resources.
He blamed the procurement authority for such a situation and indicated that the authority under the NDC government is not performing its functions properly.
However, Mr Salas Mensah in an interview with Citi News dismissed the allegations.
Mr Sallas Mensah, who is a former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, noted that the Minority leader’s comments clearly indicate that he is ignorant about the work of the Public Procurement Authority.
“I totally disagree with him; it seems he doesn’t even know the work of the public procurement authority. We don’t even award contracts here. We don’t award contracts for government, we are a regulatory body. We see to the transparent procurement of government goods and services in this country”.
The head of the Procurement Authority added that his outfit has performed creditably under his leadership and cannot be faulted or dragged into political games.
“Since I took over the running of this authority a year ago, I think my administration has been one of the most transparent administrations in running of this authority. We don’t even interfere in the procurement of any goods, services and works of all the agencies in this country. It is only when there is an emergency or bizarre circumstance that they come to us for special approval”.
Source: citifmonline.com