Audio: Ofori-Atta accuses Ablakwa of mischief over Volta roads exclusion

-

Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has brought clarity on the alleged exclusion of roads in the Volta region in the 2020 budget.

He explained that the roads are clearly listed at PAGE 158 of the budget document, thus, sees the concerns raised by the Member of Parliament (MP) from North Tongu, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa as “little mischievous.”

READ: Listen: Govt’s 2020 revenue target not achievable – Tax expert

MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Mr Ablakwa posted on Facebook and asked how the government could justify such an “aberration.”

“Why is provision not made in the 2020 Budget for critical road projects in the case of only the Volta Region…How does the Akufo-Addo Administration expect, particularly, MPs from the Volta Region to explain this to our constituents?” Mr Ablakwa wrote.

READ: Absence of Volta Region roads from 2020 budget a mistake – Senior Minister

But, the Finance Minister in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Thursday said he was sad about the concerns being raised by the North Tongu MP.

“I was quite sad because the roads were chaptered in the budget document. I was quite sad for him to take little things and create misinformation,” he bemoaned.

READ: Communications Minister wants profits from ‘momo’ transactions taxed

Mr Ofori-Atta stressed that the government will never ignore roads in the Volta region when it has dedicated the whole of 2020 for infrastructural projects. He said he was just a phone call away and Hon. Ablakwa could have easily reached him for any clarification.

“For me, the sanctity of creating trust in the political infrastructure is good for both parties. One has to be very cautious about eating away the faith and trust in the system,” he added.

Ghana | Adomonline.com | Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman