General News of Saturday, 23 March 2013

Source: GNA

BIA lauds probe into use of expired Alum

The Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIA), an anti-corruption organisation, has commended Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing for interdicting four officials found culpable for the treatment of water with expired Aluminum Sulphate.

A statement issued by Godfred Nkrumah, Coordinating Director of the Bureau at the weekend and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra said: “This is what all well meaning Ghanaians expect from all government appointees and you (Alhaji Dauda) have set the pace for such selfless dedication.”

“It is indeed a laudable effort at protecting lives, property and the integrity of the government,” Mr Nkrumah said.

The four officers of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL were Ms Dora A. Bonnah, Procurement officers of GUWL, Mr David Yankson, Procurement Officer, GWCL, Mr Edwin Kwamivi, Logistics Officer and Mr Evans Balaara, Chief Manager, Water Quality Assurance of GUWL.

The four were interdicted after a five- member committee set up by the Minister presented its report in Accra.

Their interdiction is to facilitate further investigation into the matter by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI).

The committee was set up to among other things to establish whether expired Alum was imported and used by GUWL for treating water.

It recommended that the retrieved expired alum should be in the custody of National Security and both procurement officers of GWCL and GUWL should be held responsible for failing to handle the procurement and clearing of the product professionally.

BIA serves as a centre for information gathering on public concerns with the aim of bridging the communication gap between the public and the authorities on issues negatively affecting the nation.