The Communications Unit of the GNPC Foundation has rebutted claims and provided clarified to issues of cost surrounding the construction of some 30 Astroturf projects it has carried in some selected regions across the country. <\/p>\n
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In a release on Wednesday meant to set the records straight, the Foundation assured the public of its continuous commitment to impacting positively on people and communities within GNPC\u2019s production enclave through the implementation of social impact programmes and projects<\/p>\n
The release was in reaction to a social media post by the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who alleged this week on his Facebook wall that the cost of construction of Astroturf facilities in selected regions across the\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0country as captured under the report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) was fraught with \u201cdisparities and\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0grave inconsistencies\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to \u201cthe facts\u201d as provided by the communications unit, <\/p>\n
\u201cThe GNPC Foundation\u2019s Sports Infrastructure Project began in 2018 with the aim to improve the standards of sports infrastructure in local communities to harness sporting talents of which football remains a critical agent. The Astroturf project seeks to help hone existing football and sporting talents across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cGNPC funded Astroturf facilities are constructed with FIFA quality approved materials and are set to FIFA specifications with pitch dimensions of 96×66 meters. Each facility is equipped with wire fencing and flood lights,\u201d it noted, adding that<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the outset of the project in 2018, the cost of construction of each Astroturf was pegged at $250,000 (GHS997,337.00). In 2019 and 2020, the cost of each facility increased to $300,000 (GHS1,599, 065.00) as accurately stated by the Minister of Energy, Honourable Matthew Opoku Prempeh, in his response to Parliament on July 5th, 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, the cost per Astroturf facility stands at $350,000 (GHS2,366,666.68) with the incremental costs attributed to rising cost in construction.<\/p>\n
It stated that Okudzeto Ablakwa\u2019s interpretation of the reported figure of GHS319,813.00 as the unit cost of each Astroturf is factually inaccurate\u00a0and misleading, and that the figure as contained in the 2021 PIAC Report represents how much had been expended on each project as at the reporting time rather than the total cost per Astroturf facility. <\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed, this figure only represents 20% of the total contract sum of GHS1,599,065.00 per facility in 2019-2020. Thus, the GH319,813.00 quoted in the PIAC report represents progress payment based on milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe GNPC Foundation is funding a total of 32 Astroturf facilities across the country at various stages of completion from 2018 with varying costs ranging from 997,337.00 \u2013 2,366,666,68.00 as stated above.<\/p>\n
The GNPC Foundation accused Okudzeto Ablakwa of failing to appreciate and understand the PIAC report in its entirety as one detailing expenditure\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on projects within the calendar year rather than one on total cost of the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we assure all Ghanaians that the GNPC Foundation would continue to offer support to Ghanaians across the country, we wish to appeal to the public to be circumspect in the sharing of information received on GNPC Programmes, projects, and activities to avoid causing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0needless sensation and public disaffection,\u201d the release further noted.<\/p>\n
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