Wereko-Brobbey Still Squatting At VRA

.... Quiet moves to put him on retirement package
Chronicle Intelligence has picked up information that newly wedded Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, who resigned as Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA) about six months ago, is still squatting at the Ridge bungalow allocated to him when he was in office.

Investigations have also revealed that embattled ex-Chief Executive, who is regularly spotted at the private residence of the Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, is still using the flashy custom-made Volvo, which was allocated to him when he was Chief Executive.

Even though Dr. Wereko-Brobby?s resignation took effect from September 19, 2003, his official vehicle with registration number GW 250 T was still drawing fuel from the Fuel Depot at the Head Office. The last time The Chronicle checked, he had drawn fuel on 1/10/2003, 16/10/2003, 21/10/2003 and 13/11/2003.

The former VRA chief executive?s resignation was sparked off by an avalanche of allegations levelled against him by a wide majority of workers. The allegations sparked a Presidential and Ministerial investigation, which saw him ?stepping aside? as Chief Executive and which later led to his resignation.

Impeccable sources have hinted The Chronicle that Wereko-Brobby supporters within government are quietly pushing for his resignation from the VRA to be treated as one of ?voluntary retirement? so that he could benefit from the VRA?s exotic retirement package.

VRA sources have explained to The Chronicle that Wereko-Brobby?s exit from the VRA through resignation process does not qualify him to benefit from the retirement package, especially considering the circumstances, which forced him out of office.

They explained that those who benefit from such package are those who have diligently served the authority for several years and proceeded on retirement and not one who terminates his employment with the authority in the wake of controversy.

Rev. I. N. Ghansah of the Transport Department of VRA admitted in a telephone interview with The Chronicle that Dr. Wereko-Brobby drew fuel from the depot after his resignation from the VRA but said he could not immediately recollect the last time he drew fuel from the depot last year.

He was, however, emphatic that since the beginning of this year he has not drawn any fuel.

Rev. Ghansah said the nature of Wereko-Brobby?s exit from VRA and the issue of whether he could be treated as someone on retirement or not was being discussed with government and that it is only after these discussions are completed that a decision on the status of his ?exit? would be made.

For now, the capacity in which Dr. Wereko-Brobby is still living in the official residence six months after resigning from VRA has not been decided. If he is not admitted for the retirement package, he may lose the option of buying the Volvo and going home with the nice things at the residence, The Chronicle was told.

The Chronicle can also confirm that as late as November 26, 2003 the senior staff association of VRA picked issues with the management and investigated the drawing of fuel from the depot, which they said was unacceptable.

According to senior staff who spoke to The Chronicle, the continued stay of the ex-Chief Executive at the official residence is unacceptable, considering the manner in which he handled the same accommodation issue with his predecessor, Mr. Dotse.

Several senior staff said that when Dr. Wereko-Brobby resumed office as Chief Executive of VRA, he quickly ejected his predecessor and gave him only two months to leave the official bungalow.

?When Dotse was removed, Wereko-Brobby gave him two months to leave the official residence. It was not until last year October when he stepped aside that they started processing his entitlements. That is three solid years. As for him he is still living in the residence six months after resigning from office and he is using the official car, and looking forward to receiving retirement benefits,? a senior staff told The Chronicle.

It is recalled that the official residence of the Dr. Wereko-Brobby was renovated at a cost of about ?5,000.

The ex-Chief Executive has been verbally charged by a greater portion of VRA staff and the public for causing financial loss to the state in respect of the aborted Strategic Reserve Plant that gulped millions of the authority?s cash but could not be used for the purpose for which it was purchased.