The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration says it has taken notice of events emerging out of parliament where a section of the minority is alleging corrupt motives into plans by government to acquire a chancery in Oslo, Norway.
The Ministry says it has taken a very strong exception to the Minority’s vigorous attempt to impugn corruption into the said transaction by claiming the price of the Chancery has been inflated by 8.5 dollar.
In a statement the Ministry indicated that it has not signed any agreement to purchase the said properties; that is the Chancery and the Ambassador’s Residence as alleged by the Minority in Parliament.
The statement added that the Ministry expressed interest in two properties in Oslo and as required by the Public Procurement Act commenced due diligence on the properties with the assistance of a property Valuer and a reputable Lawyer with expertise in the acquisition of properties for Diplomatic Missions.
The statement also says as of now the Ministry has not entered into any binding agreement with the owners of the properties.
The Ministry wishes to categorically state that no payment has been made towards the purchase of the properties therefore there has been no financial loss to the State.
It strongly rejects the unfounded claims by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa and a section of the Minority that seeks to give the erroneous impression that the Ministry was engaged in some fraudulent transaction with the owners of the two properties.
It noted that such uninformed allegations and hasty judgments involving a Diplomatic Mission could damage not only the image of the country but jeopardize relations between our two countries.
In response to the publication in a Norwegian newspaper, alleging the inflation of the price of the Chancery by the owner, the sector Minister directed on December 12, 2018 that all due diligence activities relating to the acquisition of the two properties be discontinued. This directive was immediately communicated to the parties involved.
The Ministry wishes to assure the public that it would not engage in any transaction that lacks transparency or does not conform to proper procurement standards, ensuring value for money.
