Regional News of Thursday, 20 March 2003

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Ketu DCE Fires Back

THE KETU District Chief Executive, Linus Koffie, has debunked allegations of fraudulent financial deals involving over ?23 million levelled against officials of the assembly.

He was reacting to a 'JOY FM' news report of March 12, this year which alleged that officials of the assembly had colluded with one of their suppliers, Solomon Danku, to defraud one J. A. Yawson of an amount of ?23,214,000.

According to Koffie, the assembly put out bids for the supply of lumber to facilitate work on European Union (EU) projects in the district.

He said three companies, Solomon Danku Enterprise, A.. Yawson Enterprise and Bulwark Limited submitted quotations to the District Implementation Committee (DIC) for consideration.

He said after studying the bid documents, the DIC selected the lowest bid which went in the name of Danku Enterprise, who was subsequently issued with a Local Purchase Order (LPO) authorising supply on September 27, last year.

The DIC explained that the decision of the DIC was submitted through the Centre for Participatory Development (CEDPAD), consultants of the project, for verification and onward submission to the Regional EU Micro Project Co-ordinator for approval.

He further explained that Danku Enterprise supplied the materials, made up of 280 pieces of wawa boards, 204 pieces of wawa scantlings, 250 pieces of 2 x 6 hardwood scantlings and 100 pieces of 2 x 4 hardwood scantlings, for which payment was effected.

Mr. Koffie pointed out that all district assemblies have EU supply price lists as a guide, beyond which prices of supplies are not allowed.