The Northern Region Minister, Salifu Sa-eed has debunked accusations by the former Northern Development Authority (NDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Abdel-Majeed Haroun, that he ordered for some tricycles be picked from the NDA yard.

In a statement issued Monday, the Minister indicated the claims were false and an attempt to damage his reputation.

“If I was really behind the tricycles pick up, I would have written formally to the NDA, giving clear directions and the locations to deposit the items,” he emphasised.

The Minister’s reaction comes after some 400 tricycles were allegedly stolen from the NDA yard in October 2019 and Dr Abdel-Majeed Haroun accused the Region’s Minister in a letter following his dismissal by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Read full statement below:

My attention has been drawn to a letter in which the dismissed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northern Development Authority (NDA), Dr Alhaji Abdel-Majeed Haroun, has claimed that I directed that some tricycles be picked from the NDA yard.

I wish to state categorically and unequivocally that, I did not direct anyone or group of persons or companies to pick any item from the premises of the NDA yard in my name or the Northern Regional Coordinating Council. For the records, I was the same person who ensured the protection of said items upon my appointment until the appointment of the CEO of NDA.

The said claim being purported by the letter of the former NDA boss and Kelvin Taylor's report is false and a palpable lie. This is an attempt to soil my hard-earned reputation and hard work. If I was really behind the tricycles pick up, I would have written formally to the NDA, giving clear directions and the locations to deposit the items.

As head of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), there was the need for the CEO who had access to me to verify before allowing the so-called assignees of mine to pick those tricycles as claimed.

I, therefore, join calls for the NDA to as a matter of urgency to open a full-scale investigation into the entire tricycles matter, dating back to 2016 in accordance with the laid down procedures and laws.

I wish to also add that no one is above the law and as a law-abiding citizen, criminals irrespective of their political lineage, must be dealt with accordingly.

Signed

Salifu Sa-eed

(Northern Regional Minister)