570 dams: ‘Liar' Bawumia should stop propaganda – Adongo

Bolga Central MP Isaac Adongo has criticised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia over what he described as “lies and propaganda” being peddled by Dr Bawumia.

Dr Bawumia had said that government will be constructing 570 dams under the One-Village-One-Dam policy initiative.

The construction of the dams will begin this year, 2018, according to the Vice-President.

Ahead of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, the then main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a promise to construct dams in every village in the three Northern Regions as a way of supporting farming in these communities all year round.

Speaking at the annual “Paarigbielle” festival of the chiefs and people of the Tumu Traditional Area in the Upper West Region, on Saturday, 17 March 2018, Dr Bawumia said: “Along with the Government policy of Planting for Food and Jobs we have also initiated the policy of One Village One Dam and I am glad to note that this policy is taking off this year, and for the three Northern regions this year, we expect the construction of a total of 570 dams.

“We expect to cut the sod for the commencement of this policy within a few weeks and in Sissala East, you'll be getting 10 dams this year. In Sissala West you'll get 10 dams this year by the Grace of God.”

Commenting on the issue, Mr Adongo explains said it is important for Dr Bawumia to be truthful and professional.

He explained that “the 2018 budget provided for only 100 dams to be constructed at the cost GHS660, 000,000 this year”.

“My question is, where is Dr Bawumia getting his numbers from? Doesn't he know that there's an approved budget for this and he can't spent beyond what the appropriations act (budget) says? Where's he going to get the extra budgetary funding for the 470 dams?

“What sort of head of economic management team is he? How can an economist of his caliber and a vice president of this republic who claims to be a champion of fiscal responsibility council conduct himself in this way?

“He is seeking to commit government to spend an amount of GHS310,200,000 for the extra 470 dams (representing 470% budget overrun). This is unplanned and unbudgeted. A clear case of fiscal irresponsibility and financial indiscipline”.

Mr Adongo in a Facebook post on Monday March 19 indicated that: “It is highly reckless, irresponsible and smacks of gross misunderstanding of the budget process. This should not be coming from the man who heads the economic management team”.

“Is this the man who says he's competent and others in NDC don't read? Lord have mercy. By the way, who are his advisors? People must be fired for allowing this man to ridicule himself each time he speaks,” the statement added.