RIBADE, National Cathedral contractor terminates project agreement with workers in 2022 – Hon. Ablakwa
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised fresh concerns regarding the continuous payments related to the suspended National Cathedral project.
In a statement, Hon. Ablakwa pointed out that RIBADE, the private contractor in charge of constructing the National Cathedral, promptly terminated its agreement with workers on March 14, 2022, upon realizing that the project had been halted.
He contrasted this swift action by the private contractor with the stance of Joyce Aryee, a top campaign advisor for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who recently dismissed calls to cease payments related to the project as “ridiculous.” Hon. Ablakwa criticized this position, highlighting the inconsistency between the government’s actions and the principles of financial responsibility.
“They wouldn’t be paying people for 31 long months over an abandoned project if Ghana was their private company,” he emphasized, questioning whether this aligns with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s promise to protect the public purse.
Hon. Ablakwa further disclosed that, according to his close monitoring of the National Payroll Database, the government has programmed continued payments for the cathedral project well beyond December 2024, despite the suspension. He expressed dismay over this ongoing expenditure, which he labeled “unconscionable.”
The North Tongu MP concluded by stressing the importance of the upcoming December 7 elections, terming it as “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL), which he sees as the only opportunity to halt these payments and recover funds he believes are being misused.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project continues to fuel heated debates, with calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
