Friday, 29 March

PDS saga: "We’ll reject restrictive tendering" – Crusaders

General News
PDS

Members of the Crusaders Against Corruption, a pressure group, has rejected the government’s proposal to resort to restrictive tendering in selecting a private partner for the management of the power sector in the country.

“While recognising the prerogative of the MCC in the determination of a particular procurement method in the selection of a PSP, in view of the limited time (approximately two years) until the expiration of the Compact II Program, Ghana hereby recommends the adoption by the MCC/MiDA of a restricted tender process to replace PDS.

“This restricted tender process shall be undertaken timeously by fast-tracking some of the processes without compromising the integrity and transparency of the procurement processes,” a government statement announcing the cancelation of the PDS deal said.

Reacting to the government statement, the Crusaders also in a statement said: “That in replacing PDS, immediate plans must be instituted to open up the ownership of this new concession to all Ghanaians, and not limit it to just a handful of individuals and companies per Article 36 (6), which states that: 'The State shall afford equality of economic opportunity to all citizens...'

The Crusaders noted that they will resist any form of restrictive tendering in the interest of transparency and accountability as Ghana begins the process of replacing PDS.

Below is the full statement from the Crusaders:

GHANAIANS WILL REJECT ANY FORM OF RESTRICTIVE TENDERING

In our press conference dated 2nd of October 2019 at the International Press Centre in Greater Accra, Crusaders against Corruption Ghana, an NGO standing for the welfare and economic interest of the Ghanaian people, according to Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution, in whom sovereignty rests, and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down by our Constitution, made the following demands of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with time lines:

1. To communicate to the nation, the Government’s final position and decision on the PDS.

2. That the PDS contract be terminated and handed over to Ghanaian Consortium Management Team, and all funds or loans received on behalf of ECG or withdrawn from ECG cash flow be analyzed forensically.

3. To institute immediate plans to open up the ownership of the PDS company to all Ghanaians, and not limit it to just a handful of individuals and companies as previously done.

Pursuant to the above demands, Crusaders against Corruption Ghana, do acknowledge the response by the Government through the 9-page letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 18th October 2019 and do appreciate that our President has terminated the PDS contract.

We are however reminding the President that Crusaders against Corruption Ghana will not relent on the remaining of its demands. In accordance with Article 35(8), “The State shall take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and the abuse of power”. We are therefore demanding of the president, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo:

1. To ensure that all funds that were withdrawn from ECG’s cash flow or borrowed on behalf of ECG is analyzed forensically. We demand sight of the MiDA board Minutes over the past year, as the members were placed there on trust for the good people of Ghana, not for their own enrichment and self-interests.

2. That in replacing PDS, immediate plans must be instituted to open up the ownership of this new concession to all Ghanaians, and not limit it to just a handful of individuals and companies per Article 36 (6), which states that “The State shall afford equality of economic opportunity to all citizens...”
Crusaders against Corruption Ghana will resist any form of restrictive tendering in the interest of transparency and accountability as Ghana begins the process of replacing PDS.

Signed

Emmanuel Wilson Jnr
Chief Crusader

Source: classfmonline.com