Bawumia blasts government over "stinking" Smartyys deal
The running-mate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticised government for not prosecuting those involved in the GHȻ3.6 bus branding scandal, which he says “stinks”.
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The scandal saw the Ministry of Transport pay GHȻ3.6 million to Smarttys Management and Production Limited to brand 116 Metro Mass buses in 2015.
The revelation of the cost of branding the buses in the 2015 Annual Report on the Petroleum Revenues Fund provoked a public outcry and prompted the sector Minister, Madam Dzifa Attivor, to resign.
The government has since asked Smartyys to refund GH¢1,548,608.04 to chest.
Commenting on the development on Accra-based Joy FM Wednesday, Dr Bawumia said the Smartyys deal was awarded and executed even before procurement was carried out, adding: “It does not make sense.”
He said the money from the petroleum fund was used for the branding exercise and that although the sector minister resigned, other people must be dealt with.
According to him, the excess money paid to Smartyys could have been used to provide teaching and learning materials for deprived schools in the country.
Dr Bawumia condemned the government’s decision to seek a refund of the money without prosecuting those involved.
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He said punitive action was required to deter others from engaging in what he called similar corrupt deals.