Gordon Asubonteng, Former Dormaa-Central MCE
The 2020 Auditor-General’s report has indicted the former Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, Gordon Asubonteng, and others in the payment of about GHS259,527.00 to Kehentson Company Ltd over a contract awarded in 2012 for no work done.
The report said the management of Dormaa Central Municipal Assembly awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of Aduanakrom Community Centre to Kehentson Company Ltd in September 2012 at a contract sum of GH¢ 814,263.65.
According to the report, the Assembly paid an amount of GH¢234,527.45 to the contractor and GH¢25,000.00 to AESL, Sunyani, as consultancy services, but later terminated the contract.
The report disclosed that there was no evidence of work done for the GH¢234,527.45 paid to Kehenton Company Ltd, and the Assembly could not provide the audit team with any documentation covering the contract nor the reason for the termination of the contract.
The report indicated that such an act is a breach of Regulation 39 of Financial Administration Regulations, 2004, which enjoins heads of department to ensure that monies belonging to the state are utilised in a manner that secures both optimum value for money and the intention of Parliament.
Refund
The Auditor-General thereby ordered for the recovery of the said wrongfully paid money to the contractor, Kehentons Company Ltd, and AESL for no work done, “failing which, the former Engineer (Bernard Opoku) and the former MCE (Gordon Asubonteng) should be jointly surcharged with the amount involved.”
The Chief Executive, Coordinating Director and the Finance Officer are also required to provide the documentation covering the contract with Kehentons Company Ltd. for viewing and satisfaction.
Double contract
The report noted that the same contract was re-awarded to a different contractor, Messrs Oases Ltd., in February 2015 at a contract price of GH¢854,080.65 for which work had been completed and the project handed over to the assembly.
It added that the irregularities were occasioned by wrongful certificate of works done by the Works Department and monitoring teams of the Assembly to properly inspect the projects before recommending for payment to the contractor.
The A-G further indicted the former MCE and his team for payment of GHS245,024.73 judgment debt which could have been avoided.
