The Senior Staff Association of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) has denied allegations that its Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Obeng has incurred the wrath of staff after he spent GHS1 million on the Ghana@60 celebrations.
The story published by some media outlets indicates that this money was spent on the celebration at a time the company was struggling to pay salaries and bonuses of staff.
In a statement, the Association’s Chairman, Abdul Jalil Abdul Rahman said contrary to the allegation, “we wish to state that all salaries and bonuses due staff have been paid and there is no such thing as salary or bonuses arrears in BOST.”
The statement added that since Mr Obeng took office, he has demonstrated good faith and confidence in all categories of staff at BOST and has shown his willingness to work with all employees of BOST and provide strategic leadership.
It also noted that the contribution towards the Ghana@60 celebrations is not the first and will not be the last because BOST as a good corporate institution has a social responsibility to come to the aid of needy institutions and individuals.
According to the statement, “BOST over the years as part of its corporate social responsibility has made significant contributions both in cash and in kind to state institutions and private entities in the country.”
The statement mentioned the company’s financial contribution that aided Ghana’s participation in Rio 2016 Olympic games in Brazil, assisted victims of the Accra flood and fire disaster in Accra, supported the military during their WASSA celebration, Ghana Library Board, 2016 GJA Awards and the Eastern regional Hospital at Koforidua as well as contributing to various events and activities of diverse institutions and communities in the country.
It also stressed that BOST, as a result of its contribution to the Ghana@60 celebrations will enjoy some tax holidays for the financial year 2017 and this will improve the activities of the company in many ways.
On the allegations that BOST’s mandate of keeping strategic fuel reserves is under threat, the statement indicated that the staff are aware of the ample measures put in place by the Alfred Obeng-led administration to ensure adequate and sustainable fuel supplies to guarantee national fuel security.
“These strategies have already started yielding results,” the statement said, adding “We are therefore optimistic that BOST will continue to deliver on its mandate and flourish, hence cannot fathom the allegation.”
The statement advised the public and the media to exercise great circumspection in writing stories about BOST and the hardworking CEO and also exhibit professionalism by contacting the communications department of BOST before publishing stories about the company.
