The Chief of Zongo in Biaho, Alhaji Razak, who is also a registered scrap dealer at the Takoradi Port, has expressed deep frustration over what he describes as a dubious railway scrap auction deal allegedly involving some National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives within the scrap dealers association.
According to him, he and several other scrap dealers were called by some NDC executives, and informed them that the Ghana Railway Company was auctioning scrap materials, including coaches, wagons, and rails.
He recounted they were told that the items had been handed over to the regional executives stationed at the railway Station at Takoradi habour, and that interested groups were required to pay GH¢330,000 each, equivalent to 100 tons of scrap, before gaining access to work on the materials.
Mr. Razak alleged that a total of 10 scrap dealer groups participated in the payment, with each group contributing GH¢330,000, amounting to GH¢3.3 million in total.
“We were called by our Constituency chairman.. and told us that the railway scrap auction had been approved and that we should pay GH¢330,000 per group to get access to the materials,” he explained further in his claims.
He noted that payments were made on a Monday to the committee including the Effia Constituency Chairman, who assured them that documentation was in progress and that work could begin the following day.
However, after waiting for several days, their operations were halted by individuals claiming to be National Security officers.
“When we went to start work, we were stopped by National Security and told us that the Ministry of Roads and Highways had not received any payment, and until that is cleared, we cannot work,” Alhaji Razak lamented.
He further revealed that despite several attempts to get clarification from the chairman, they were informed that the money had already been sent to a national committee based in Accra at Akuma Plaza, a claim that remains unverified.
Mr. Razak claim he personally paid GH¢330,000 to a man identified only as Chairman Seidu, and believed to be the Effia constituency chairman who was a member of the said committee.
“Right now, we are demanding our money back or immediate permission to begin work.
If the issue is not resolved, I will take the matter to the regional chairman and national security for redress,” he stated.
He called on the authorities to swiftly investigate the matter, describing it as a clear case of deceit that threatens the livelihoods of many legitimate scrap dealers in the region.
Source: Nana Fynn
