The purchase of 38 luxury vehicles by the Energy and Petroleum Ministry was negotiated by the New Patriotic Party in 2007, Ministry of Energy has alleged.

The Ministry said the purchase of the vehicles valued $1,745, 159, was also approved by Parliament in 2008 as part of 350 million dollar US Exim bank facility the Auditor General said was meant for extending electricity to 1,200 communities under the Multi-Donor Budgetary Support Programme.

Seeking to set the records straight on this matter, the Energy and Petroleum Ministry presented the following claims below.

1. The vehicles formed part of a 350 million dollar US Exim bank facility (loan) for rural electrification.

2. The negotiations started in 2007 and was passed by parliament in 2008. (when NPP was in power)

3. The said vehicles had been negotiated by the NPP ministers as part of the package (because under the facility, the US Exim bank’s loan, the vehicles component could only be used to American made vehicles)

4. Dr Oteng Agyei (Minister in 2009) did a value for money audit on the cost of the project when he assumed office as energy minister in 2009 and saved the nation about 50 million which translated into more communities having access to electricity.

5. The said vehicles, including Lexus 4×4, which had been negotiated as part of the package in 2008 were delivered in 2010

Meanwhile, a member of the finance committee of parliament, Kwaku Kwarteng has called on President Mahama to act on the Auditor General’s report.

He is challenging the president to demonstrate his commitment to the fight against corruption by ensuring persons identified to have benefited from the use of the luxury cars are brought to book.