MPs angry over BMW bought for Minister to monitor road project

Europa 19:19 - 20 May 2016

Joe Gidisu

It has emerged from a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report that the project, which was at an estimated cost of GHC 40.4 million, had exceeded its original budget by over 200%.

Some Members of Parliament have expressed anger about a BMW saloon car valued at $160, 503,76, which was purchased for the use of former Roads and Highway Minister, Joe Gidisu, by the contractors of the Achimota-Ofankor Highway in Accra to enable him inspect the project.

The report said this was due to expenditure on some programmes unrelated to the project.

"Items considered to be unrelated expenditure; cardinal among them was the purchase of a BMW- 2010 model saloon car at $160.503,76 with an associated one year insurance. Other expenditure deemed to be unrelated to project are head office backstopping (GHC50,000), posting allowances for 13 GHA staff transferred to head office (GHC34,764.73): conversion of GHA’s archive base into offices and renovation of CEO’s office (GHC33,225.62) and participation of four staff in Urban transportation course at KNUST (GHC2,400)," the report stated.

"As at December 2011, the project had exceeded the expected completion date by 25 months and the works were about 88% complete. The estimated cost had already shot up to GHc120 million representing an increase of about 217%. On the purchase of the BMW saloon vehicle, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the GHA explained that the vehicle was bought for the then Minister of Roads and Highways, Joe Gidisu to inspect the project," the report added.

The MPs have therefore called for sanctioning of the officials responsible for the infractions.

The then Minister however did not use the said car. According to the report, he realized that it was inappropriate for his use, and the vehicle was subsequently sent to the presidency for an appropriate replacement.