The Finance Ministry, headed by Ken Ofori-Atta, awarded SML an additional contract valued at up to ¢24 million per month.

Under the terms of the contract, SML is tasked with monitoring and reporting fuel product diversion and dilution, as well as overall noncompliance in the petroleum industry. This responsibility was previously held by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). An investigative report by the Fourth Estate raised serious questions about the contract.

Speaking about the development on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr Jinapor visibly passionate about the issue, expressed his concern over the financial burden placed on Ghanaians, stating, “Somebody is making so much money on the backs of the sweat of Ghanaians.

“This contract is inimical. This contract must not stand, and people with a conscience, people who love this country, irrespective of their political colour must pick against this contract. It is bad, it is not good, and will not stand the test of time.”

The Yapei-Kusawgu lawmaker further linked such controversial contracts to the nation’s economic challenges, asserting that addressing leakages that happen through awarding such contracts could curb the need for external financial aid, including seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“I feel very sad and I am asking Ken Ofori-Atta, ‘Why would you do that?’ If Ghana were your company, would you sign this deal?” he quizzed.

According to the parliamentarian, the duty which SML was tasked to attend could have been addressed by NPA’s internal mechanism which have been proven to be robust.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor has been petitioned to probe the Finance Ministry, The Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited over the questionable $1 billion contract for revenue assurance in the petroleum downstream, upstream, and gold mining sectors.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate, Manasseh Azure Awuni who filed the petition explained that the OSP had assured that something would be done about it.

According to him, the petition is to investigate the deal for corruption and possible breach of procurement law.

ALSO READ:

• The GH₵3 Billion Lie: Gov’t pays hundreds of millions to company despite false claims…

• I believe you have what it takes to bring peace to Bawku – Bawku…

This comes after Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited was awarded an additional contract worth up to ¢24 million per month.

The contract calls for monitoring and reporting on fuel product diversion and dilution, as well as overall noncompliance in the petroleum industry.

Notably, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) was already in charge of these responsibilities.

The firm admitted to the Fourth Estate investigators that they made false claims about its services to the state as it relates to alleged savings.

In an interview on Joy FM Top Story on Monday, December 18, Nana Amoasi VII stated that contracting a private firm to undertake duties the NPA is already doing is purposely to create wealth for a few people.

He also shared the view that government going on that tangent could also be a result of it not trusting the existing system.

“We [IES] believe that the latter may be the truth. That this is designed to create loot and share,” he added.

He explained that there are existing systems in place to check product quantity.

Nana Amoasi VII added that “the NPA exists to carry out such a mandate, Custom Excise and Preventive Service also exist to crosscheck the quantity of product that comes into the system. And so this is a clear duplication of task.”

“Something that we have paid for to be done for the country, you go and contract somebody else to come and put piezometer to check. This is thievery and nothing else,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor has been petitioned to probe the Finance Ministry, The Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited over the questionable $1 billion contract for revenue assurance in the petroleum downstream, upstream, and gold mining sectors.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate, Manasseh Azure Awuni who filed the petition explained that the OSP had assured that something would be done about it.

According to him, the petition is to investigate the deal for corruption and possible breach of procurement law.

Reacting to his, the Ranking Member on Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor says he is happy the Special Prosecutor has been petitioned to probe the contract indicating that the Minority side will also determine their next line of action.

ALSO READ:

• The GH₵3 Billion Lie: Gov’t pays hundreds of millions to company despite false claims…

• GIBA replies Communication Minister