The Ministry of Finance says it cannot be blamed for the alleged wrongful payments in the controversial AMERI power plant deal.
[contextly_sidebar id=”7xpNI4AWiVJDiBrM5vsECN6l0HnHKRul”]According to its Chief Director, approval of payment for the contract, followed prior approval by cabinet and parliament respectively.
The power ministry has come under intense pressure for its alleged role in the signing of the 510 million dollar deal with, Umar Farouk Zahoor; in the generation of 250 megawatts of power by AMERI.
The Ministry has since denied the allegations insisting it followed due process.
Some have begun questioning the role played by the Finance Ministry in this development but Major Retired M.S. Tara tells Citi Business News the Ministry cannot be faulted.
“If there is a transaction that emanates from a ministry like the AMERI power deal, a joint cabinet memo is issued and signed by the Ministry of power and submitted to finance as a co-sponsor if we go through the term sheet and if it is attainable, the sector minister will endorse it then forward it to cabinet’.
“It is subsequently sent to Parliament to be looked at both the committee and House levels, no agreement can be entered into by the ministry of finance unless it is specifically approved by Parliament,” Major M.S. Tara stated.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citifmonline.com/Ghana