John Jinapor Opposes $1Billion SML Contract, Says It's Detrimental to Ghana's Development

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Ranking member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament John Jinapor is vehemently against the government's 10-year contract with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML), calling it "inimical" to the interests of the country.

READ ALSO: Government Attempting To Give Cronies A GH¢7Billion Tax Break - Minority Under the direction of Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Ministry awarded SML an extra contract worth up to ¢24 million a month. Under the terms of the contract, SML will oversee and report on instances of gasoline product diversion, dilution, and general noncompliance in the petroleum business. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) was formerly responsible for this duty. The Fourth Estate's investigation report brought up important concerns regarding the deal. Expressing his concerns on JoyNews' PM Express, Mr. Jinapor passionately criticized the financial burden on Ghanaians, stating, "Somebody is making so much money on the backs of the sweat of Ghanaians. This contract is inimical. This contract must not stand, and people with a conscience, people who love this country, irrespective of their political color, must pick against this contract. It is bad, it is not good, and will not stand the test of time."

The Yapei-Kusawgu lawmaker linked such controversial contracts to the nation's economic challenges, asserting that addressing leakages through these contracts could alleviate the need for external financial aid, including seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "I feel very sad, and I am asking Ken Ofori-Atta, ‘Why would you do that?’ If Ghana were your company, would you sign this deal?" he questioned. According to Jinapor, the duties assigned to SML could have been addressed by NPA's internal mechanisms, which have proven to be robust.

READ ALSO: Lithium deal: Your Agreement Is Void Until Parliament Ratifies It - Yaw Oppong To Barari DV In a parallel development, the Special Prosecutor has been petitioned to investigate the Finance Ministry, the Ghana Revenue Authority, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited over the questionable $1 billion contract for revenue assurance in the petroleum downstream, upstream, and gold mining sectors. The Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate, Manasseh Azure Awuni, who filed the petition, emphasized the need for a probe into potential corruption and breaches of procurement law.

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