In an interview with Citi News’ Richard Sky, the MP said the fine was not only lenient, but also smacked of partisan considerations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”oHKUsohmAbphuJ8AHKA9EYO0TjJcNGdt”]“I’m tempted to believe there is one law for one side of the political divide and another for other political parties in the country,” Mr. Oti Bless opined.

The 13 Delta Force members were fined GHc2,400 each or in default spend three years in prison, and are to sign a bond of good behaviour, and abide by the terms of the bond for a period of six months, or in default serve two years jail term.

But Mr. Oti Bless weighed the Delta Force case against the controversy surrounding the Montie trio case in 2016 when a recording emerged of him verbally attacking the Supreme Court on Montie FM’s ‘Pampaso’ programme, that saw the host of the show and two panelists imprisoned for contempt.

He accused the Chief Justice of conniving with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in an attempt to reverse the election results in 2008 and in 2012 among other allegations.

The MP recounted that “we were in this country when I went on Montie FM to make some statements; my views as to what was happening in our judicial system and what didn’t you hear in this country? I was mashed like kenkey for one full month. I was bashed a whole lot.”

“For the Montie Three, these were just verbal statements on radio. They were remanded for months and asked to pay GHc 10,000 each. Comparing that to what happened in Kumasi, which one is grievous? Which one has effects on the rule of law… Looking at the gravity of the two offences, even a three-day-old baby would disagree with this kind of ruling.”

Mr. Oti Bless spoke on the issue with a tone of urgency and asserted that “the future of our country is in danger” because of the perceived lax handling of the case.

“It has serious implications. It is going have a serious effect on this country as far young people are concerned. What are we telling the young people? It means that we are now encouraging other people to take the law into their hands,” the MP stated.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Deputy Minister observed that most of the non performing  contractors have hoarded so many projects to themselves that they are unable to complete them.

This he said derails government’s efforts of improving the lives of its people.

“Like I said earlier, this public fund; its people’s money. So if you are a contractor and you are given a project to execute and you think you have a lot at hand to do, you relinquish it and let a more serious contractor take over. Because you can’t sink public fund into a project and leave to hanging like that”
John Oti Bless made the observation during a day official tour of the northern part of the Volta Region on Friday.

On the tour, it was revealed that a District Assembly Office Complex which was to be constructed to replace the old one in Jasikan has been abandoned by the contractors, water sand company limited.

The Chief Executive of the Jasikan District Mr Killian Abrampah said there have several failed attempts to bring the contractor back to continue works on the 1.3million Ghana cedis project.

Similarly a district hospital project awarded to Sabu Constructions Limited in Kadjebi has been stalled since 2011 without the contractor showing any sign of resuming work anytime soon.

The Chief Executive of Kadjebi Mr Jacob Asogonde lamented he met the project upon resumption into office in 2013 and had since been making efforts to bring the contractors back to site.

He said the 29500 Ghana cedis project is to provide the health needs of over 70,000 people in the district.

He lamented the district does not have its own hospital and residents would have to depend on Mary Theresa Hospital belonging to the Catholic Church, situated at Dodi Papase, about 30 kilometres away from the district capital.

The minister who shared in the concerns of the chief executives directed them to commence processes towards the abrogation of those contracts and entreated other Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives [MMDCEs] to do same for projects that are unduly delayed in the locality.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/Citifmonline.com

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The tour is, to among other things, afford the minister an opportunity to assess the progress of work on the various development projects initiated by the government.

John Oti Bless commenced his tour at the Jasikan District Assembly in the company of the Chief Executive Killian Abrampah where they inspected works on the new District Assembly Office Complex, a student dormitory for Okagyakrom Senior high school, a new District Police station and administration block as well as a 700-seater maternity block for the Jasikan District Hospital.

The New Maternity block which is 80percent completed according to the midwives in the hospital would bring much relief to them since the current facility is congested and has only two delivery beds serving expectant mothers in the entire district.

The minister proceeded to the Biakoye, Kadjebi, Nkwanta North and South districts where he expected to perform similar function.

Today’s [Friday] visit is his second official visit to the region after assuming office.

The approval of the ministerial appointment of John Oti Bless was delayed for almost three months following allegations of contemptuous comments he made against the Chief Justice.

Oti Bless in an interview with Citi News has expressed satisfaction over the level of development in the area.

He added that as a grassroots man, much of his work in the ministry would be concentrated on enhancing the lives of the people.

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By: King Nobert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Oti Bless tours Upper Volta to inspect projects appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minority in Parliament had earlier called for the suspension of his approval over comments he made against Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood on Accra-based Montie FM in July 2016.

Mr. Bless Oti, also the Nkwanta North Member of Parliament, accused the Chief Justice of “conniving” with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in an attempt to reverse the election results in 2008 and in 2012 among other allegations.

But Parliament on Wednesday finally approved his nomination after the Speaker called for a vote of his nomination.

Speaking to Citi News hours after the approval, Oti Bless said his nomination was divine.

“It is a great day and it is a day of praise to God for the great things he has done. God is a true God that has to be praised every day and everytime. It is the work of the Lord. God has time for everyone.”

He further indicated that he will give off his best.

“What I can say is to give thanks to God and within this short period I will do my best and whatever is in me will be brought out for the public to see what can be done.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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