2 Groups tango over CEO of SADA
The Coalition of Youth Associations in Northern Ghana is demanding the immediate removal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Alhaji Gilbert Iddi, for alleged acts of corruption and mismanagement.
At a press conference addressed by the spokesperson of the coalition, Mr Basharu Alhassan Daballi in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, the coalition accused Alhaji Iddi of profligate spending and wanton dissipation of SADA resources.
But in a swift response, the Northern Youth for Peace and Community Development (NYPCD), has called on all citizens of the north to see the management of the SADA as a collective responsibility.
It observed with concern the continuous calls for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of SADA, Alhaji Gilbert Seidu Iddi, by certain groups from the Northern Region.
Explaining the reason for calling for the dismissal of the CEO the coalition alleged the that CEO spent GH¢170,000 between January and March, 2013 on Internet connectivity when SADA staff as at March, 2013, had no computers to work with, indicating SADA offices were housed in the old cotton company building and it was unimaginable how such an amount of money could be spent on Internet connectivity in a matter of three months.
"We have evidence that SADA has contracted a company called Heiser Engineering, to drill 100 boreholes in the SADA zone at a cost of GH¢3 million with each borehole costing GH¢30,000. Not only is the per unit cost so outrageous judging that by the going market price, a mechanised borehole costs a maximum GH¢15,000, but more important, there are no traces of where the boreholes are located. Nobody can point at any such borehole in any part of the three regions".
Mr Daballi said information available to them revealed that SADA procured 100 Mahindra Tractors last year at a cost of GH¢79,000 each and has again bought 175 more to be supplied to farmers and service providers and stated that in terms of durability and rigorousness, Mahindra tractors were nothing compared to Massey Ferguson tractors.
He added that it was surprising that SADA would spend GH¢79,000 to buy one Mahindra tractor when same amount could buy two Messey Ferguson tractors that have more vigour, quality and durability.
He also accused Alhaji Iddi of conflict of interest, saying he was the owner and partner of Plus One Investment, a company which received resources from SADA to engage in the production of butternut squash for export.
For their part, NYPDC in a press release issued in Accra last Thursday and signed by Mr Yussif Hamid, Executive Director of NYPCD, said it was unfortunate that some people never saw anything good about the operation of SADA, an organisation which it said deserved the support of all.
It expressed the belief that this was rather the time SADA needed the support and assistance from all and sundry in terms of ideas to move the organisation forward.
According to the release, the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, needed the peace of mind to manage the numerous economic and infrastructural challenges of the country, including the successful performance of SADA.
It, therefore, appealed to all aggrieved persons to stop the attacks and come on board to support SADA to direct its energies and resources to sectors crying for development.
“While it may be true that some of the projects embarked upon may not appear lucrative or beneficial to all parties, it is important that we exercise patience to examine the issues at stake and come out with informed suggestions for improvement of SADA,” the release said.
It said as a young development organisation, SADA needed open-minded technocrats who were ready to receive useful suggestions, adding that it was, therefore, everybody’s duty to contribute to its success.
“Let us for once as a people show our collective resolve to develop our homeland,” the release said and called on the President to ignore the calls and maintain the chief executive officer.
By Alhandu Abdul-Hamid, Bolgatanga
Daily Graphic/graphic.com.gh
Ghana
