18 m MASLOC exposed: Those who caused financial losses must pay – Prof. Adei

Professor Stephen Adei called for the speedy punishment of those whose actions led to the depletion of some 350 vehicles purchased by the Center for Microfinance and Small Loans (MASLOC).

While congratulating the team of Joy News investigators, whose hard work has put the issue in the forefront, the Education Advisor and Chair of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) also called for firm action to convince the authors.

"I want to congratulate those who have done this work. They did a very professional job. That's what the media has to do to get the facts. Those who cost financial loss be made to pay for it. Someone must be held responsible, "he said Tuesday at the Joy Super Morning Show.

A Joy News survey found that the cost of 350 vehicles purchased by MASLOC in 2016 for private transport operators cost the state more than 18 million GHS.

This price is higher than the market price of vehicles from the same supplier.

The 350 vehicles are parked in the National Security Court, behind the Accra International Conference Center, in Accra.

Some of the salon cars were completely covered with weeds.

The vehicles consist of 100 Isuzu buses with 33 seats, 100 Chevrolet Sparklite pbadenger cars and 150 Chevrolet Aveo salon cars.

Video: Cost of 350 abandoned MASLOC vehicles inflated by GHS18m

Adei also questions the government's motivation to join fill its contractual obligation when it is clear that the contract is fraught with irregularities.

"I am quite surprised that if a contract is corrupt, it is paid at face value". For example, Professor Adei opposes the tax exemptions granted to the vehicle supplier.

Very surprised, he said, "We do not hear anything about taxes that have not been paid. I am shocked that this is paid. I do not think that think anyone will do it in his own private business. The Ministry of Finance must revoke the conditional tax exemption. "

Joy News checks with the Ghana Revenue Authority confirmed that the company did not pay any fees on vehicles provided to MASLOC.

According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, customs duties on the 350 vehicles amounted to 10,500,000 GHS.

Further investigation revealed that the Ministry of Finance had written to waive the obligation of the company pending the approval of Parliament, which did not happen.

The investigation of Joy News however reveals that the company was not entitled to an exemption from duties under the terms of the contract.

Teacher Adei also lamented the high level of corruption in the country despite Ghana's good performance in the 2018 corruption perception index [CPI] and called for concerted efforts to deal with it.

"There is no doubt that in recent years, corruption is very high in Ghana and increasing. It will take concerted efforts to fight corruption, "he told Daniel Dadzie, host of the Joy Super Morning Show.