Smarttys repays bus branding cash

Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh 20:30 - 19 July 2016

The branding initially cost GHC3.6 million but upon a review, Smarttys management and production, the company at the centre of saga, was paid to refund GHC1.5 million.

A revelation that the rebranding of 116 new Chinese Huanghai buses cost the country 3.6 million cedis, caused a public outrage. This led to the resignation of the then Transport Minister, Dzifa Attivor.

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), has revealed that Smarttys Management and Production Limited has finished paying the money about the rebranding of 116 Metro Mass Transit (MMT) buses by the Ministry of Transport. According to the chairman of PIAC Professor Paul Kingsley Buah-Bassuah the refund has returned to the country’s petroleum revenue.

He said “What was used for the re-branding of the metro rapid transport buses have been refunded in full. The petroleum component has been refunded that is, the GHC3.65 million has been paid to the country according to our report,” he said.

Background

A revelation that the rebranding of 116 new Chinese Huanghai buses with portraits of President John Mahama and past presidents, cost the country 3.6 million cedis, caused a public scandal.

This led to the resignation of the then Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor. After much pressure from the populace, political parties, and some civil society groups the chief of staff Julius Debrah ordered the Attorney General to probe the matter after which Smarttys was ordered to refund the excess payment made.

A leaked Attorney General’s investigation report implied that the contract with Smarttys concluded before the procurement process started, an action that violated the nation’s procurement laws.