The Minority in Parliament has once again attacked the decision by the Mills administration to purchase an Embraer 190 aircraft for the purported use of the military.
While emphasizing that it had no objections to the purchase of four other aircraft for the military � two CT95 aircraft and two DA 42 MMP aircraft - the Minority believes the price quoted for the Embraer has been inflated and has therefore called on President Mills to suspend its purchase and order an investigation into the price.
The Minority also believes the Embraer is �basically a commercial airliner which the NDC government, at great cost, is having configured as an executive (presidential) jet�As a result of the NDC�s opposition to the acquisition (of a similar aircraft by the NPP) in 2008, the NDC, now in government, has a difficulty justifying purchase of aircraft � as recommended by the G(hana) A(rmed) F(orces)."
The Minority made the call at a Press Conference in Parliament on Wednesday July 27, addressed by the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party.
Parliament last week passed a bill for the purchase, although the Minority boycotted the vote.
Questions have been raised about the cost of the aircrafts - an Embraer E 190 jet with a hanger costing $105,370, 177.09, two DA 42 Guardian Surveillance aircraft costing �11 million and another two CT95 aircraft costing �60 million.
President Mills on Monday July strongly defended the acquisition of the jets, stating that the jets would be very beneficial to the country.
He intimated that the aircrafts could even be used to rescue flood victims when the need arises.
But, the Okaikoi South MP told Citi News that the Embraer 190 is basically a commercial airliner which the NDC government, at great cost, is having configured as an executive (Presidential) jet.
He said the claim of military use for the Embraer 190 is therefore an attempt to throw dust in the eyes of Ghanaians.
Nana Akomea emphasized that the NPP was not against the equipping of the military, citing the purchase of a Falcon, Airbus and MA60 in 2003 following recommendations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
�We also need to remind President Mills that, the NPP government provided for the GAF, 4 M17 helicopters, 4 K8 combat aircraft, $60 million to upgrade their peacekeeping equipment, modern ICT centre, 1500 seating capacity Burma Hall, accommodation at Beijing barracks, Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Training Centre, modern Ministry of Defence building, $100 million for capacity building, completed second phase of modernization of the 37 Military Hospital now for post graduate training, increased the UN peacekeeping allowance from $16 to $32 per day among others,� he added.
�Our objection to the current loans (to purchase the aircraft) are based mainly against the acquisition of the Embraer 190� Nana Akomea said, and called on President Mills to as a matter of urgency suspend the decision to purchase of the aircrafts until the deal is made transparent for all.
Source: Citifmonline.com
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