Ministerial investigative committee should look beyond controversial BOST deal – Prof. Adei

Professor of Business Administration at the Ashesi University, Stephen Adei has suggested, the ministerial committee investigating the cronversial sale of off-spec fuel at BOST, should be given the mandate to look into other issues other than the ‘BOST-Movenpiina deal’.
The Energy Ministry in a statement earlier this week said it is in the process of setting an 8-member committee to probe the sale of 5 million contaminated fuel by the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST) to Movenpiina, a company that is not registered with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as an oil marketing company.
But the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Ashesi University believes, a lot is going at other agencies under the Ministry, which ought to be investigated as well.
He said recent report by the Public Interest & Accountability Committee (PIAC) over a missing $47.4 million being revenue from sales of raw gas to Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), must also be investigated.
Speaking Saturday, July 1, on weekly news analysis programme Newsfile on Joy FM, Prof. Adei said “the Minister could expand the committee and invite members of the opposition [National Democratic Congress]” to give credibility to its findings.
The first rector of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) stated: “there is a need for a wider investigation into what goes on, not only at BOST, but also in other analogous organsations” operating under the Ministry of Energy.
“At the end of the day, I’m hoping that the Minister [Boakye Ahyarko] will take advice to ensure that there is integrity in the investigation,” Prof. Adei recommended.
BOST Boss to resign
The minority group in parliament is demanding that BOST CEO, Alfred Obeng step aside to avoid meddling in the investigations.

Abdul Malik Kweu Baako
But contributing to the discussion, veteran journalist, Abdul Malik Kweu Baako stated although the “minority reserve the right to demand for him to step aside,” Alfred Obeng, does not have the capacity to influence the committee’s work.
“Alfred Obeng has no capacity to interfere with investigations at BOST,” said the Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide.
Political twist
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Sekondi Constituency of the Western Region, Andrew Egyapa Mercer has described as mischievous, the deliberate attempt by the minority to “perpetrate falsehood” when it held a news conference on the matter.

NPP MP for Sekondi, Egyapa Mercer (left) and NDC MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini 
Minority discounted the claim by the BOST that the contaminated product was sold at a competitive ex depot price, and queried the BOST if there were any competitive bidding and the companies that participated in the bidding.
On Friday, the Majority group in a counter media briefing, rejected the claim and rather accused immediate-past CEO of BOST, Kwame Awuah Darko of transferring “unexplained colossal amount” to the seat of government last year.
Although Mr. Egyapa Mercer agrees “that nobody has to be shielded in this issue” he is firm belief that “the truth must be established”.
But Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fueini insisted, answers to questions relating to the relationship of the BOST CEO to Movenpiina ought to be established in unraveling the truth surrounding the contentious deal.
“We [minority] are not here to defend anybody; we are here to interrogate the issues,” he indicated while making his submission on the issue.