Former Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije says he will petition Parliament to hold on to the approval of sports minister nominee Isaac Asiamah for ‘lying under oath’ about the budget the just ended Afcon 2017.
The nominee in answering questions before the vetting committee indicated that a budget of $4.4 million was submitted by the Mahama administration but he (Mr. Asiamah) and his team in Gabon reviewed and renegotiated for a reduction which saved the country 50% of the intended winning bonus.
According to Mr. Asiamah, the decision saved the country some $1.5 million.
Meanwhile the former minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije in an interview with TV3 said was a lie adding that he would pursue the matter and make sure the approval of the nominee is withheld.
The vetting which was heated at a point between the two gentlemen, Mr. Vanderpuije and Mr. Asiamah over the right amount which was used approved by the ministry which was then headed by the former.
Mr. Asiamah said the documents submitted to him by the Chief Director of the Sports Ministry indicated that the amount approved for the tournament was $4.4million.
This was however denied by Mr. Vanderpuije who indicated that he reviewed the $4.4million budget which was submitted to his office when the country was preparing for the tournament.
He further indicated that after the review, he (Mr. Vanderpuije) slashed the amount to a little over $3 million and was surprised that the old budget which he rejected and reviewed was what the nominee brought before the vetting committee.
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