Regional News of Monday, 15 September 2014

Source: Joseph Osei

DCE hot after chopping construction money

A construction of some locker stores and a lorry park has marred the relationship between the district chief executive of Sekyere Kumawu District in the Ashanti Region and his assembly members. 2.5 billion old cedis was eared marked for the project and 2.1 billion has been paid to the contractor, MEGAD Construction Company. But according to the Assembly members not much is showed for it



I visited the construction site which is located at the center of kumawu town. I saw eleven small stores but the lorry could not be found. The Assembly member demanded answers as to why the Assembly went ahead to pay more than 90% of the amount to the contractor who has abandoned the project and demanding for more cash.



No proper answers have been given to the members hence the decision to invoke order 24B of the local assembly act. To impeach the DCE and called for the dismissal of the district

finance officer, the budget officer and the engineer at Assembly. Hearing the threat, the demeanor of the DCE changed he shown remorse and apologized. The Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong got wind of this and decided to step in to plead for mercy. After a marathon meeting, the minister plea was rejected. The presiding member of the Assembly Samuel Agyeikum said the right thing must be done. He said the Assembly has not been able to explain to them why more than 90% of the money should be paid to the contrated has has not completed the locker stores not to even talk of the lorry park



Last week Tuesday the assembly members met to decide the faith of the DCE Samuel Kwame Asamoah. There came a court injunction and sparked a clash between the supporters of the DCE and the Faith deciders. The writ was filed by Oscar Kwesi Dankwa, the Assembly member of kumawu market square electoral area. One of his claims is that: the impeachment of the DCE will embarrass the DCE and the Assembly.



The district chief executive has refuse comment on the matter and waiting whether his plea will be taking or he will be taking to the slaughter.