The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has expressed its readiness to cooperate fully with CHRAJ in a petition filed by North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over the alleged sale of six SSNIT hotels to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The North Tongu legislator maintained that selling state properties to government officials is an abuse of power and should be prohibited.
In his petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on May 16, the MP wants the anti-graft body to stop the sale of the said hotels.
Furthermore, Mr Ablakwa alleged in his petition that documents he has intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited “are far advanced.”
“Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The six SSNIT hotels being sold are Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.
However, the Trust explained that Rock City Hotel Limited submitted the most outstanding technical and financial proposal among all the bids, meeting all the criteria specified in the Request for Proposals (RFP).
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SSNIT emphasised that the selection process was transparent and fully complied with the Public Procurement Act.
‘Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal amongst those received. Consequently, it is in negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four (4) hotels (Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort).
“Bids for Busua Beach Resort and the Trust Lodge were considered to be unsuccessful so they are no longer part of the hotels covered in this process.”
“It was mentioned on the Metro TV discussion that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has been petitioned to conduct a full-scale investigation into the sale of SSNIT hotels.
“Given the impending investigation by CHRAJ, Management of SSNIT will not comment further. SSNIT will cooperate fully with CHRAJ throughout its investigation process,” the Trust said in a statement dated Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Meanwhile, CHRAJ, in a letter dated May 20, addressed to the petitioner, Mr Ablakwa, has acknowledged the petition.
“I write in acknowledgement of your complaint brought before the Commission dated 16th May 2024 and to respectfully inform you that the Commission will revert to you in due course,” it said.
Read SSNIT’s full statement below:
The post We’ll cooperate fully with CHRAJ in its investigation – SSNIT on Ablakwa’s petition first appeared on 3News.
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