BNI chases NDC MP

Information reaching The Chronicle indicate that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is on the heels of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr. Michael Teye Nyaunu, to answer questions over an alleged hijacking of relief items. This was made known to the paper by the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Mr. Isaac Agbo Tetteh, when this reporter visited his office to ascertain the truth about the allegation being leveled against the tough spoken National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP.

Sources close to the district BNI office at Odumasi confirmed that the investigative agency was looking for the MP, to answer questions about his alleged failure to distribute rice, and other relief items meant for flood victims in his constituency.

This follows an exposure by the Assembly Member for Kpong-Parkson, Evans Nash.

Recounting the incident that led to the alleged hijacking of the relief items by the MP, Evans Nash told The Chronicle that somewhere June this year, there was a heavy downpour, which displaced about 800 people, and destroying personal belongings running into thousands of Ghana cedis.

According to him, after the disaster, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, tasked the Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to dispatch some relief items to the District Assembly to be distributed to the victims. He claimed 100 bags of rice, student’s mattresses, Wellington boots, and other materials were some of the items released by NADMO.

However, his investigations revealed that 20 bags of the 100 bags of rice, two bales of secondhand clothing, a bale of blankets, and 10 pairs of Wellington boots were given to the MP for protocol.

He continued that further checks indicated that the so-called protocol items were given to the MP to share among the affected people as a sign of sympathy and care, but kept the items to himself, thereby defeating the original motive.

According to him, it beats his imagination as to why the MP was still keeping the items, since they were not given to him as a Christmas gift, but to be distributed to some individuals who were in trouble.

"I will not allow him (MP) to embark on his usual practice of enjoying from the misfortunes of the disadvantaged. I will go all lengths to retrieve the items to serve the initial purpose," he assured.

He asked why an MP who is living in the comfort of his house, and enjoying everything at the expense of the poor taxpayer, should be allocated items meant for disaster victims, and continues to keep them, without given it to the intended recipients.

The Regional Minister, when contacted on his cell phone to react to the story, could not either deny or confirm it, but rather directed this reporter to the District Assembly for further clarification.

According to him, there was a disaster, and as the Minister having oversight reponsibility of the region, directed NADMO to send some relief items to the District Assembly to be distributed to the affected people.

However, he would not be in position to comment if the items had not been distributed to the victims or not.

The DCE, Isaac Agbo Tetteh, however insisted that the items were given to the MP to be shared among the victims, but his checks within the area, had shown that the MP had not distributed the items.

All attempts to get Mr. Michael Teye Nyaunu to comment on the allegation proved futile. Though this reporter called him on three different occasions, he failed to pick the calls. Some of his aides who were conctated also refused to comment.