Koforidua Feb. 10, GNA - The Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) denied on Thursday that a Land Cruiser is missing from their outfit. A statement issued in Koforidua signed by Mr Samuel A. Bawa, Regional Co-ordinating Director, described as mischievous a publication in a newspaper that a vehicle was missing.

It said the publication, which indicated that tension was brewing in the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council over the disappearance of Land Cruiser No UE 550 X belonging to the Council, was only aimed at tarnishing the hard earned reputation of Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the former Regional Minister.

"The Council wants to state emphatically that the story is false and unwarranted as the vehicle has never been missing".

The statement said the said vehicle actually developed a major engine fault and had been parked within the premises of the ERCC until recently when a home used engine was bought for it.

"If workers of the ERCC have confirmed that the car developed a faul= t and was sent to a mechanic for repairs as you stated, then it presupposes that they know where it is and therefore not gone missing since a particula= r mechanic can be held responsible".

It said the ERCC had the option to chose which Mechanic worked on its vehicles and Management was at a loss as to the allegation that Mr Ofosu-Ampofo sent it to a repairer of his choice.

"Here it must be emphasized that no mechanic has monopoly over the repairs of vehicles belonging to the RCC", the statement added. It said the Land Cruiser which was sent for repairs on Monday January 24 this year was returned on Tuesday February 08 and is with the Council. "Also the Council would want to state that the former Regional Minist= er did not take a Computer and a chair along with him to his new office in Accra".

The statement said in line with the ethics of the profession, the ERCC was demanding that the publication be retracted and unconditional apology rendered to Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the RCC.