Ghanaian Times

The President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, is reported by the 'Times' as having sent a message of congratulations to General Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday, for what was called, "his impressive election as President and Commander in Chief - of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The message said "your election is a clear demonstration of the confidence which the people of Nigeria have in your leadership, especially towards peace, stability and prosperity". The message continued, Ghanaians have followed with understanding and admiration the short and difficult transition to constitutional rule in Nigeria and would like also to congratulate all Nigerians for making success of the process. "We will continue to be associated with developments in your great country in keeping our common history and close cultural ties. "I wish to assure you that our two countries and peoples will cooperate even more closely together as well as with other member states of ECOWAS, for our mutual prosperity in a stable and peaceful West Africa," The Times quotes the message as saying.

'ATTORNEY-GENERAL SUES PENTRAXX' to ecover ?3.3bn Keta Sea Defence Project money" is the headline in today' of anothere front page story in Wednesday's Times. The story has it that Pentraxx Ghana Ltd has been issued a writ of sumons from the Attorney General's (AG's) office for the recovery of 3.326 billion cedis said to be over-payment for work done on the Keta Sea Defence Project. Pentraxx is also reported to be charged with paying a further amount of 1.796 billion cedis being 15 percent down payment for ECGD Line of Credit made by the Ministry of Works and Housing. These were disclosed yesterday by Mr. I.K. Adjei-Mensah Minister of Works and Housing when he answered questions on his sector. The Minister also confirmed that another firm, Bascom Works Ltd. is to refund 396.3 million cedis down payment for ECGD line of credit by the Ministry. Mr. Adjei-Mensah said that these directives were contained in a release of the Keta Defence Project issued February 16, 1998 and were referred to the office of the Atorney General to initiate legal action against messrs Pentraxx Bascom and individuals against whom adverse findings had been made.