Kwame Agbodza slams $147m e-gate system as ‘create, loot, and share’ scheme

The Minority in Parliament has raised serious concerns about alleged corruption tied to the government’s decision to engage a private entity for the operation of the newly commissioned E-gate system at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The system, which is part of a $147 million project, was introduced to streamline passenger processing and enhance efficiency at the airport. However, the Minority claims that the agreement is shrouded in secrecy and riddled with irregularities.

Speaking to the media in Accra on Wednesday, the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, described the deal as a glaring example of financial impropriety, accusing the government of adopting a “create, loot, and share” approach.

He emphasised the need for greater scrutiny of the agreement to ensure accountability and transparency in its execution.

Agbodza expressed particular concern over the project’s cost, questioning the justification for spending $147 million on the E-gate system when the entire airport construction was reportedly completed for $250 million.

He argued that such a significant expenditure on a single system raises questions about the value for money and the government’s priorities.

The Minority also called for a detailed review of the procurement process and the terms of the agreement with the private entity tasked with managing the E-gates.

They argued that the lack of openness surrounding the contract has created suspicion and undermined public confidence in the project.

Mr Agbodza urged the government to provide full disclosure on the E-gate deal, including the selection process for the private entity and a breakdown of the project’s costs.

He further called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter to prevent what he described as a potential financial scandal from tarnishing Ghana’s image and affecting the country’s aviation sector.

“Why on earth would the whole airport, which cost $250 million to build? And you will be trying to get into an agreement with an entity to run an e-gate service for almost $147 million. This can be at the peak of create, loot and share…people are at the Bank of Ghana trying to open an account for GIS and others to start collecting this money. The VFM is not even out. The Immigration Service and Ministry of Finance are trying to sign an agreement. The warning is this, this is an illegality.”

“Do not proceed and every civil servant who is involved in a hasty decision to sign an agreement with this entity. I’ve decided not to mention the entity. But this entity specialises in getting soft money from DVLA, the passport office, the National Identification Authority, and other things.”

“This time around, it’s not going to happen. So, Bank of Ghana, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Immigration Service, by the laws that we pass in this house, that activity was not supposed to be, I mean, an operation by the Ghana Immigration Service. It’s an integrated service that is supposed to be provided at the airport,” he stated.

Source: myjoyonline.com