Investigations conducted by Today have revealed that some top officials of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) have grossly ignored procurement processes to secure over 300 new buses.
A report intercepted by Today dated April 9, 2018 showed that although tender was opened for the supply of the said buses, the MMT officials ignored it and offered it to Ankai and RDC Companies to secure the buses.
The four-page report, with reference no: SC.MMT/ VOL.4/001, was addressed to the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin Amidu, for further probe and prosecution of officials of the state transport company
It was also copied to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Chief of Staff, Board of Directors of MMTL, Minister of Transport and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The report alleged that although companies including ZK and Yuton Ghana Limited offered lowest and best prices, they were deliberately not offered the contract.
According to the report, if MMTL had provided a level playing ground during the tendering, Yutong Ghana Limited would have emerged the eventual winner.
This, the report continued, would have seen the company providing the lowest price of US$106,000 for each bus which would have saved millions of Ghana cedis if MMTL officials had stuck to the correct procurement processes.
The report also fingered some top government officials (names withheld) who connived with officials of MMTL to rob the company and for that matter the State.
To this end, the report recommended a thorough investigation into the acquisition of the 300 buses.
However, when Today contacted the Head of Procurement at MMTL, Mrs Rose Owusu , she denied that the company ignored procurement processes in the purchase of the buses from China.
Mrs. Owusu however, declined to give further clarification on whether the two companies, Ankai and RDC, went through correct procurement processes before they engaged them to purchase the buses from China.
“My brother (referring to this reporter), I do not have the capacity to speak to the media on this matter. And you should go and ask the Corporate Communications Manager of MMTL, Mr George Krobea Asante, to seek further explanation,” Mrs. Owusu stressed.
In an interview with Today, the Corporate Communications Manager of MMTL, Mr. George Krobea Asante, described the allegations as “rumours.”
“We have heard these rumours against our managing directors and some prominent personalities but we strongly believe these are allegations to discredit our bosses who are working hard to restructure and transform the company into a world-class mass transport company,” Mr Asante stated.
He noted that management of the company would officially set the records straight on the matter.
Meanwhile, Today has gathered that the allegation had been discussed at a board meeting.
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