Juaso-Ashanti, June 19, GNA - Members of Asante Akim South District Assembly have approved a budget estimate of GH¢1,012,699.79 for 2008. The budget which covered, governance, health, education, water and sanitation, agriculture, security and new projects was unanimously approved by the assembly at an ordinary meeting to pave way for the commencement of some abandoned projects due to lack of funds. There was a heated argument over the construction of a new administration block for the District Police Command when members of the Finance and Administration and Works Committees complained that they were not involved in the acquisition of the land for the project, awarding of the contract and demanded an explanation. Members of the Committees contended that the contract sum of GH¢210,000, was astronomical and could drain the assembly's meagre resources.

This brought proceedings to a temporary halt as members were divided over the issue.

Mr Abdul Karim Boakye-Yiadom, Asante Akim South District Chief Executive, responding to their concerns said Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister who was then acting as the DCE awarded the contract with the approval of the assembly. He therefore, expressed dismay at the assembly members who questioned the contract sum, adding "I was an assembly member when the contract was awarded". Mr Boakye-Yiadom, explained that the project was not being solely funded by the assembly but in collaboration with Ministry of the Interior, and the assembly was responsible for a counterpart funding of GH¢50,000.

The explanation by Mr Boakye-Yiadom, however, did not go down well with some of the members who continued to probe further until Mr Eric Aboagye, Presiding Member, intervened and appealed to the assembly to approve the budget because work on the project had begun.