Chief of Staff Mr. Julius Debrah has ordered the Attorney General to retrieve a total of GHC1.9 million from the private company which handled the controversial rebranding of some 116 Metro Mass Transit buses.

It emerged two weeks ago that the government spent an outrageous GHC3, 649, 004 [That is GHC3.6 million per bus] from the Ghana oil funds to re-brand the 116 buses; something that has attracted hue and cry.

The Chief of Staff consequently ordered the AG to investigate the saga and submit its report within two days. The report was presented to the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah on Tuesday.

In her report the AG, Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong found that there were no cost comparisons to what was submitted by the private company, Smartty’s Management, because of the method of procurement and the procedures used.

A statement issued by Mr Debrah said “the procurement method did not also ensure value for money,” and consequnetly directed the AG to retrieve the GHC1.9 million being what the statement described as “excess payment made for the service rendered”.

“Independent consultations made by the Attorney General with some leading motor firms in the country confirmed that the contract would have been executed at a cheaper cost if other bids were considered and price comparisons made,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the backlash from the public Wednesday forced Transport Minister, Dzifa Attivor to resign her ministerial portfolio, and thanked the NDC government for “for the opportunity offered her to serve, first as Deputy Minister of Transport under the late President JEA Mils, and later as the substantive Minister”.

By tv3network.com