Energy Minister John Peter Amewu has justified an award of a GH¢100 million contract to Imperial World Ventures, a company which was formed in April 2017.

The company was selected through the restrictive tendering process to supply 150 Watts LED street lights.

Mr Amewu stood by the contract when he answered a question on the floor of parliament on Thursday, 13 December 2018. The question was posed by the MP for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey.

Mr Norgbey raised questions about the decision to award the contract to such an infant company without recourse to open competitive bidding.

Mr Amewu said the restrictive tendering process “is in accordance with Section 38 (b) of Act 663 of the Public Procurement Act, as amended”.

He further explained that: “The ministry obtained approval from the Public Procurement Authority and the Central Tender Committee prior to the award of this contract”.

Speaking to Class91.3FM later, Mr Norgbey accused the minister of violating the Procurement Act by bending the rules in favour of cronies.

He told parliamentary correspondent Ekow Annan that he was not satisfied with the response by the minister and, so, wants the contract abrogated.