DVLA blows GHC 82,000 on ‘non-employees’

There was a shimmering tension at the Public Account Committee of Parliament sitting Monday as the Auditor General Report disclosed that Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) blew a whopping GHC82, 595.00 on non-employees in 2012.

According to the report, the DVLA used the money for the payment of salaries on staff of Trust Bank now Ecobank, for service they rendered to the Authority which was supposed to be paid by the Bank between March 2010 and December 2012.

During the interrogation, Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central, Mr. Kwaku Agyaman Manu inquired from the Boss of the Authority, Mr. Noble John Appiah if he was aware that their action was flouted section 1 (a) and 2.0 of the agreement between the Authority and the Bank.

The Executive Director of the DVLA explained, "At the inspection of the on-site banking operations in 2010, the Authority assumed responsibility for the payment of allowances of cashiers.

"We have also made efforts to retrieve the amount from the bank but because the Bank was being sold to Ecobank, their management was lethargic in paying back the money. In a response letter, Ecobank reiterated that they were not part of the contract/ agreement and therefore cannot refund the money accrued as a result of the arrangement between the DLVA and the Trust Bank."

Atta Akyea, vice chairman of the committee reiterated that the Authority’s action was a clear breach of section 182 of the Government of Ghana Revenue Act.

Mr. Agyaman Manu said the DVLA should refer the case to their lawyers for legal action to be taken against the cashiers who were paid the undeserved salaries.