Audio By Carbonatix
Minority in Parliament is raising red flags over a $100 million contract between government and Huawei Technologies for the Accra Metropolitan Area ICT Enhanced Traffic Management Project.
Over 11,000 CCTV cameras as part of the arrangement are also expected to be mounted to allow security agencies to monitor traffic and also enhance general security in the metropolis.
The National Security Minister laid the agreement before parliament for approval last week which is being considered by the Defense and Interior Committee of Parliament.
But former Minister for Roads and Highways, Inusah Fuseini, has expressed stiff opposition to the arrangement.
According to him, the contract agreement and an accompanying request for approval of a $210 million loan from the China Development Bank for the project were approved on December 22, 2019.
He added, "the contractor has executed part of the project and raised interim payment certificates totalling $16 million waiting to be paid."
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr Fuseini told journalists that the move amounts to what he describes as a big deception.
"Today, we are being invited to approve of the same facility that has already been approved and which is standing in our loan books for the same for the same project," he explained.
He said the deal smacks of corruption because "they have changed the title of the Project" after it was initially shepherded by the Minister for Roads and Highways likely to plunge the country into judgment debt.
"This project today is being brought to the house by the Minister for National Security. If even we allow them to go ahead, you can rest assured that what they are going to do will be a candidate for what for judgment debts.
Meanwhile, Ranking Member of Parliament's Roads and Highways Committee, Kwame Agbogya Governs among other things indicated that the seeming change in the Ministries in charge of the deal raises more questions.
"What has the synchronisation of traffic in Accra got to do with the National Security Minister.
"Indeed, when they came to Parliament they told us that they were going to build a control room and that control room, National Security, MTTD and everybody has access to it," he said.
Mr Agbodza believes someone at Flagstaff House has altered the arrangement for the benefit of Huawei while urging parliament not to ratify the new deal.
"We have no interest in the turf war at Flagstaff House but in Parliament, we must be sure that if we are approving loans, we are doing the right things," he added.
Meanwhile, the government said the contract with the initial company, Beijing Everway Traffic and Lightning Technologies, had been terminated after they were indicted for some illegalities for which reason it decided to fall back on Huawei.
Over 11,000 CCTV cameras as part of the arrangement are also expected to be mounted to allow security agencies to monitor traffic and also enhance general security in the metropolis.
Latest Stories
-
Big Smiles, Bigger Bounces: Kids take over the fun at the Joy Party in the Park
23 minutes -
Joy FM Party in the Park 2025: Kwabena Kwabena takes centre stage
46 minutes -
Ghana-Nigeria cyber-fraud network dupes over 200 victims of $400,000
55 minutes -
Tackling terrorism requires jobs and anti-corruption drive, not strikes alone – Nigerian security analyst
57 minutes -
Terror attacks in Nigeria affect all faiths, not only Christians – Security analyst
59 minutes -
$120,000 stolen from Ghanaian financial institution by hackers – INTERPOL
1 hour -
Modern security management defined by trust – IGP
1 hour -
The True Significance of Christmas: Pagan origins or Christian celebration
1 hour -
US strikes on terrorists in Nigeria timely and strategic – Security analyst
1 hour -
Patrons dance through drizzles at Joy FM’s Party in the Park 2025
1 hour -
Samini thrills fans at the 2025 Samini Xperience concert
2 hours -
Gov’t targets 99.9% electricity access by 2030 as Awurahae, Sapor get power after decades
2 hours -
Ghana EXIM Bank repositioned to reduce import bill on rice, poultry – CEO assures
2 hours -
Photos: Hundreds turn out for Joy FM’s 2025 family party in the park
3 hours -
Volta Regional House of Chiefs renew call on Immigration to remove inland barriers at Sogakope, Asikuma
3 hours
