The Chief Executive Officer of Medium and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Mr Stephen Amoah has debunked assertions that he has signed a contract for the procurement of some 1,800 cars.
He explained that one of MASLOC’s priority is to give loans as well as car loans and therefore they give their platform for such opportunities.
The CEO of MASLOC made this known under cross-examination in the case in which former MASLOC CEO and others are standing trial for procurement breaches.
Before the Commercial Division of the Accra High Court, Mr Amoah was confronted with a document that he signed to procure 1,800-second hand cars.
Mr Amoah, prosecution’s first witness had given evidence and was being cross-examined by counsel of the first accused person.
“We have not procured any cars since I came. I will like to also emphatically say that MASLOC has not procured any 1,800 cars since I was appointed.”
The witness explained further that, as part of its method of operations, MASLOC gives its platform to companies to sell their products while MASLOC gains a percentage share.
He added that under that arrangement in the intended car purchase he said “MASLOC was not going to pay for the cars rather the car company wanted to use our platform.
What this means according to the witness was that “MASLOC use our platform to sell cars of that company as and when the beneficiaries pay the money, MASLOC will credit the intended supplier.”
He added further that, “MASLOC realises opportunities from organisations making one per cent on it without making any payment from MASLOC coffers.
CONTRACT ABORTED
The witness explained to the court that, there was no case of procurement breaches and that ” we went further to have prior agreement signed, however, the documents we signed went out and the public started twisting the issue so I quickly called the manager of the company and said whether we are doing the right thing or wrong thing, we should abrogate all transactions.”
This he said the company obliged by writing to MASLOC and accepting the decision.
A copy of the said letter which got into the public domain was admitted in evidence by the court even though the state had raised objections.
Touching on the arrangement it earlier had to procure some cars, he said: “before all these were discussed the car company said some of the cars were between two and six years but they have never been used before.”
They, however, agreed that one could be brought for MASLOC to inspect which was brought.
NO PROPER HANDOVER DONE
The witness also told the court that “documents were supposed to be handed over to me and then I will use.”
He explained further that “If proper handover had been done, I would have known these two documents counsel is talking about and as best practice CEOs are not to be going rounds in search of documents.”
The witness was responding to documents relating to the appointment of acting CEO of MASLOC dated 23 October 2013 and 10 March 2015 signed by Julius Debrah, the then chief of staff under former President Mahama.
MASLOC NOT A LEGAL ENTITY
The defence team in their bid to discredit the witness asked if it was true that the governing broad of MASLOC is not based on any statue.
But the witness in his response said, beacuse “I am not a legal practitioner,” he was unable to respond to that question.
When counsel again suggested that the board of MASLOC is not constituted by the President because some laws or regulations did not mandate him to do so, the witness said “What I know is that my present board and board of MASLOC were appointed by the President and their appointment letters were signed by the Presidency.
When it was suggested to him again that MASLOC is like the transport department at the presidency, the witness disagreed.
The case was adjourned to November 5 for further cross examination.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mutalla Inusah
