E&P denies owing pension contribution

A construction firm which has been sued by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for non-payment of pension contributions for it employees has denied the allegation.

SSNIT alleged that E&P failed to pay the social security contributions of its workers between the periods February to July 2015, June to August 2016 and October 2016.

SSNIT, has therefore, dragged the construction firm to court.

But in a statement issued by E&P, it explained that even though the company faulted in paying its contribution it negotiated an agreement with SSNIT on December 22, 2016, for the payment of arrears of social security contributions of GH¢1,601,051.78.

The statement added that on March 2, SSNIT served notice to E&P that it had abrogated the negotiated agreement due to the failure of the company to make the instalment payment for February 2017. The company had delayed payment of the first instalment for two days.

E&P however wrote back to SSNIT urging SSNIT not to abrogate the agreement but they refused.

The statement added that “as at 28th April 2017, E&P had made a total payment of over GHc 2 million (GHc2,723,212.36) in full satisfaction of all outstanding arrears and penalties.”

Below is the full statement

Engineers & Planners has settled SSNIT contributions

• On 22nd December 2016, SSNIT entered into a negotiated agreement with Engineers and Planners as it does with all clients for the payment of arrears of social security contributions of GHc1,601,051.78.

• By the terms of the agreement, E&P were required to make 12 monthly instalments commencing February 2017 ending in January 2018.

• As at 28th April 2017, E&P had made a total payment of over GHc 2 million (GHc2,723,212.36) in full satisfaction of all outstanding arrears and penalties.

• JUST TWO DAYS DELAYED PAYMENT - On March 2 2017, SSNIT wrote to E&P to serve notice that it had abrogated the negotiated agreement due to the failure of the company to make the instalment payment for February 2017, as a result of two (2) days of delay in paying the first instalment.

• E&P informed SSNIT that it had made efforts to make the payments for February as agreed but for unexpected delays in their receivables on current contracts and convincingly committed to paying. A promise it has fulfilled.

• E&P further made a request for SSNIT to reconsider its decision to abrogate the negotiated agreement. SSNIT declined the request.

• Instead, on 13th April 2017, a summons was issued to E&P to appear before the District Court on 29th April 2017 to answer a complaint of failing to pay SSNIT contributions of GHc668,754.75 and penalty of GHc387,709.31 totalling GHc1,056,464.06.

• Once again it is worth noting that, E&P has paid over GHc 2 million (GHc2,723,212.36) in full satisfaction of all outstanding arrears and penalties.

• Counsel for Engineers and Planners has informed the court that the company has fully paid off the outstanding amounts due SSNIT.