Former Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, has admitted that he still had a state luxury vehicle bought with the money meant for electricity extension project, in his possession, months after he left office, although he was quick to clarify that he “did not steal it” and has since returned it to the Energy Ministry.
[contextly_sidebar id=”jRUzCBTtDKHjpRQoQLuCjtrBLHiMwTTM”]An audit report presented to Parliament by the Auditor-General, had revealed that the then Ministry of Energy and Petroleum spent $1,745, 159 on 38 luxurious vehicles from a US$350 million US EXIM facility meant to extend electricity to about 1,200 communities between 2010 and 2012.
The Ministry of Power justified the decision to purchase the luxurious vehicles with money allocated for the project saying it was necessary and had saved the country $46 million, following an audit of the project.
Oteng-Adjei had come under severe criticism from the minority, who claimed that the former minister was still using one of the luxury vehicles.
The minority spokesperson on Energy, K.T Hammond had earlier said on Eyewitness News: “My understanding is that for all his worries, he [Dr Oteng Adjei] decided to keep one of the Lexus cars to himself. As we talk Oteng Adjei is using one of them.”
However, Oteng Adjei has denied this claim, stating that he has returned the vehicle to the state.
“I have returned it to the ministry. l asked them to go and take it when I read the Daily Guide report… they actually came this morning and took the car away,” Dr Oteng-Adjei told Accra-based radio station Joy FM.
According to Dr Oteng-Adjei, there had been an agreement between himself and the Ministry of Energy after he was moved to the Ministry of Environment and Science to keep the car as “their financial situation was a bit difficult…so that we don’t spend money to go and buy another car.”
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EdKwakofi