ADVERTISEMENT

Parliament to grill GNPC over ex-gratia payment

Authorities of GNPC on Monday, November 30, 2015 confirmed the payment ex-gratia to some senior management personnel who were removed from office in 2001.

 

The Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament will today meet officials of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) over the payment of ex-gratia to some former senior staff as end of service benefits.

This comes at the back when the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Mr K.T. Hammond who had expressed concerns about the quantum paid to each individual called for a probe of the payments arguing it was illegal.

He said the various sums paid to the individuals had been taken out of monies approved by Parliament for GNPC to use for some specific projects.

ADVERTISEMENT

He alleged that Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, a former Chief Executive of GNPC who left the corporation 15 years ago had been paid GhȻ1 million as compensation for work done during his tenure as head of the organization. Mr Tsikata was removed as Chief Executive of GNPC in 2000 by former President J.J. Rawlings.

According to Mr Hammond, another former Chief Executive, Mr Asafu Adjaye, as well as a former staff member of the corporation, Ms Esther Cobbah who headed public affairs, received almost GhȻ1 million and about GhȻ600,000 respectively.

These monies, according to Mr Hammond, were meant for specific projects. He explained that out of the $342 million which accrued to Ghana from the sale of oil this year, $98.3 million was set aside for the GNPC to use for some specific projects.

Meanwhile, Esther Cobbah, a former Public Affairs Manager of the Corporation has denied claims of receiving payment.

ADVERTISEMENT

She explained that though her appointment as External Affairs Manager of the West African Gas Pipeline project, "I decided not to contest the issue, having regard to the circumstances of the day."

She said, "No amount has been paid yet, no payment has been made to date."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT