Let’s support probe into Ghc 14m Veep house-Felix Mantey

A member of the Progressive People’s Party Felix Mantey has thrown his weight behind the Ghana Institute of Surveyors (GhIS) for calling for an independent enquiry into the controversial GHC14million yet to be completed vice presidential residence.

According to him, the call by the GhIS is in the right direction and urged Ghanaians to fully support the move.

“I fully support the suggestion by the Ghana Institute Surveyors and I think as a nation we should all support this laudable idea,” he said.

Felix Mantey, who expressed outrage over the cost of the building, underscored the need for the independent enquiry to be stretched to cover the construction of a dwarf fence wall around Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso, which also cost the nation millions of Ghana Cedis.

“We cannot throw monies away just like that. There should be investigations into all the projects which were executed by the previous administration at an outrageous cost,” he indicated.

The cost of the vice presidential residence, which is located at Cantonments a suburb of Accra has generated huge public debate with many Ghanaians accusing the precious National Democratic Congress government of inflating the cost of the project.

A statement signed by president of Ghana Institute of Surveyors Emmanuel Tetteh Martey, Monday, called for an independent enquiry into the $14 million (GH¢60 million) mansion, for appropriate costing. The association said it would follow the issue to its logical conclusion in view of the ethical issues raised. It has therefore appealed to Ghanaians to remain calm to allow for investigations to be conducted into the ‘true’ cost of the building. Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had put out $14 million as the cost of the building, but the immediate-past National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed concern about the amount, quoting conflicting figures and thereby making the transaction murkier. So far, the contractor for the project, Consar Ghana Limited, has sided with Vice President Bawumia, saying that the contract was over $13.9 million and that the project had stalled because of non-payment of certificates raised.

According to the surveyors, “GhIS holds the view that the general perception of the citizenry is that costs for public sector projects are most of the time inflated, hence the negative responses and public outcry anytime projects of such magnitude are put in the public domain. “As a professional body with expertise in the field, we entreat all to address their minds to the fact that issues involving project development are very technical and complex and need to be explained for an effective buy – by stakeholders.”

Speaking on Oman FM National Agenda, Tuesday, Felix Mantey called for the prosecution of those who would be found culpable.

This, he said, will serve as a deterrent to all those who may wish to engage in inflating the cost of government project.

Story By: Michael Creg Afful/cregafful2016@gmail.com

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