Central Region NPP claims proposed Cape Coast stadium was awarded on contract

Cape Coast, May 16, GNA - The Central Region Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday debunked claims by the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Cape Coast stadium was not awarded on contract.

They described the allegation as 93incessant lies and wild spins" to cover the NDC's inability to carry on with the execution of the project which was awarded to POL-MOT Holdings SA of Poland in March 2008 at the cost of 25 million US dollars.

The NPP led by Nana Ato Arthur, former Regional Minister under whose administration the contract was awarded at a press conference to explain its position on the new stadium, said that the capacity of the proposed stadium was 15,000 and the contract sum which excluded external works was awarded before NPP's exit in 2009.

The new proposed stadium is so dear to the hearts of people of Cape Coast and has been a subject of discussions on almost all the radio stations in the Municipality almost every day with accusations and counter accusations by politicians from both the NDC and NPP.

Nana Arthur said the project was to be built at Akotokyir near the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in fulfillment to a promise made by former President, John Agyekum Kufuor to the Chiefs and People of Cape Coast during the Fetu Afahye Festival in 2007 to build a new stadium for the area among other promises that included the establishment of a Medical School and the construction of a new market.

The former Regional Minister said the 32 acre land for the project was acquired by the UCC authorities which released 14 acres for the construction of the project while owners of the remaining 18 acres which had both permanent and temporary structure on it and valued at GHc807,276.57 were to be compensated.

He said in February 2008, preparatory activities for the commencement of the project was carried out during which water and electricity was extended to the site while stumps and weeds were removed, earthworks-cutting formation done, a storm drain, geo-technical survey and design of roads were also awarded at an estimated cost of GHC 2,396,240.83.

Nana Arthur further explained that on March 27, 2008 an agreement for the construction made up of the design, build, install and transfer of a 15,000 capacity seater stadium was signed between the Republic of Ghana represented by the then Minister of Education, Science and Sports as the employer and POL-MOT Holdings and that on December 3, 2008 POL-MOT submitted advanced invoice No. CCSG/01/2008 of USD 6,000,000,for the Employer for payment.

According to the former Regional Minister, in August 2008 compensation claims for permanent structures totaling about GHC320, 942.83 were paid to four property owners while the remaining two and the temporary structures had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for payment.

Nana Arthur who was accompanied by the MP for Assin South, Professor Dominic Fobih showed pressmen copies of the contract document and letters signed by the former Youth and Sports Minister in the NDC administration, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak to officials of POL-MOT Holdings SA in which he requested for an increase in the capacity of the stadium from 15,000 capacity to 20,000 and wondered why that request will be made if no contract was awarded or documents found at the Ministry.

He therefore urged the NDC administration to stop the 91lies' and come clear with the 93good people of Cape Coast" that they were unable to continue with the project.

Meanwhile the Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe has alleged at public functions that her administration has not seen any documents on the contract for it to continue with the project.