Walewale MP accuses John Jinapor of dubious procurement amid energy sector concerns

Walewale MP Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama has raised concerns about government procurement in the energy sector. He accused Energy Minister John Jinapor of bypassing established procedures for contract awards.

His comments came after the Ministry requested emergency funding to address fuel shortages. These shortages have caused widespread concern among the public.

Mr. Mahama acknowledged the urgency of the financial issues but questioned how the Minister is handling them. In an interview with Channel One TV, he accused Mr. Jinapor of using the crisis to justify non-competitive practices, especially sole-sourcing.

“Since he took office, it has been one alarm after another,” Mr. Mahama said. He believes this approach allows contracts to be awarded without proper procurement processes.

He claimed that over GH₵200 million worth of contracts have been awarded through sole-sourcing without following necessary procedures. “My intelligence suggests that over GH₵200 million has been spent improperly,” he stated.

The MP emphasized the importance of adhering to procurement laws, especially in a financially strained sector. He warned that using fear-based narratives could damage public trust in the government's ability to manage the energy crisis effectively.

“He must fix this and reassure Ghanaians instead of scaring them,” Mr. Mahama added.