Oteng-Adjei returns luxury vehicle
A former Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, says he has returned a luxury vehicle in his possession six months after exiting the post.
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The vehicle was one of 38 purchased by the Ministry of Energy at a cost of GH₵5,584,508 from a budget meant for extending electricity to 1,200 communities under the Multi-Donor Budgetary Support Programme between 2010 and 2012.
The purchase of the vehicles and the use of one of them by the former minister have become a contentious issue.
Audit report
An audit report presented by the Auditor General to Parliament Tuesday February, 17, revealed that the Energy Ministry spent GH₵5, 584,508 meant for rural electrification on 38 luxury vehicles.
The project was to extend electricity to 1,200 communities under the Multi-Donor Budgetary Support Programme between 2010 and 2012.
The report revealed that the ministry also bought two heavy duty photocopiers for $33,226.40 (GH₵106,324), four desktop computers with accessories for $10,522.28(GH₵33,670), and three laptop computers with accessories for $8,008.71 (GH₵25,627.87).
Reaction
Reacting to concerns expressed by the public over the revelations of the report, the Ministry of Energy said the negotiations for the contracts were made long before the Mahama administration assumed office.
In a statement issued in Accra the ministry said GHc5, 584,508 which was used to purchase 38 luxury vehicles was negotiated by the Kufuor administration.
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At a press conference held in Accra yesterday, the Minority in Parliament accused Dr Oteng-Adjei of illegally appropriating the vehicle to himself after he had left his post at the ministry.
Car returned
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM yesterday morning, Dr Oteng-Adjei admitted keeping the vehicle but said he returned it last Monday when the Minority started raising issues, maintaining that he “didn’t steal it”.
He said: “I have returned it to the ministry.”
“l asked them to go and take it when I read the Daily Guide report… they actually came this morning and took the car away,” he added.
Explaining why he continued to use the vehicle after leaving the ministry, Dr Oteng-Adjei said when he moved from the Energy Ministry to the Ministry of Environment and Science, “their financial situation was a bit difficult and so I worked out with the previous ministry to keep the car”.