Accra, Dec. 21,-Mr Cassel
Ato-Forson, Ranking Member on Finance has described as profligate an amount of
GH₵272 million allocated to
the Office of the Chief of Staff for the 2018 financial year.
According to him, GH₵100 million out of the amount given
for capital expenditure, is to be used for renovation works on the Flagstaff
House, the Peduase Lodge and two other government lodges at Cantonment in
Accra.
Mr Ato-Forson made the revelation
during an interview with the media in Parliament.
The Minority in Parliament
described as wasteful the allocation of GH₵1,948,846,372 to the Office of Government Machinery for the 2018
Budget estimates.
According to the Minority the
2017 and 2018 budget allocations to the Office of Government Machinery far
exceeds what was allocated in the 2016 budget, which the then opposition NPP
criticized.
Mr Ato-Forson said the amount given
to the Office of the Chief of Staff is bigger than the budgets allocated to
seven economic Ministries, including Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Works and
Housing among others.
“GH₵100 million, equivalent to $23 million to renovate the
Flagstaff House, the Peduase Lodge and other government lodges, was way too
much, where is the priority of government,” he questioned.
He cited for example the capital
expenditure for the Ministries of Health, Water Resource and Sanitation, and
Roads as GH₵60 million, GH₵53 million, and GH₵200 miillion respectively, which
are less than that of the office of the government Machinery.
Mr Ato-Forson said the previous
administration moved to the Flagstaff House in 2013 and the Peduase Lodge was
also renovated not long ago, so he does not see why such a huge amount is being
allocated for the renovation of the facilities within this short time.
“They claim they are protecting
the public purse, Mr President you are not protecting the public” he added.
He said the Minority would
continue to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure accountability for the
people Ghana.
GNA
No comments:
Post a Comment