No Malfeasance In Cost Of Construction Of Astroturf Facilities -GNPC Rubbishes Okudzeto-Ablakwa Claim
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has denied malfeasance in the cost of construction of Astroturf facilities across the country as stated by the Member Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency of the Volta Region, Mr. Samuel Ekudzeto Ablakwa.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has denied malfeasance in the cost of construction of Astroturf facilities across the country as stated by the Member Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency of the Volta Region, Mr. Samuel Ekudzeto Ablakwa.
According to the Foundation, the NDC MP has made misrepresentation of facts on the cost of GNPC, calling on Ghanaians to disregard the statement of the MP since his statement is factually inaccurate and misleading.
In a press statement signed and issued by Executive Director of GNPC Foundation
in Takoradi, the Foundation noted it attention has been drawn to a social media post by Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, receiving widespread attention alleging malfeasance in the cost of construction of Astroturf facilities across the country.
The statement noted that it claimed was captured under Appendix D of the 2021 Annual Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) which relates to GNPC Foundation Projects Expenditure submitted to Parliament in fulfillment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815), as amended by Act 893.
According to the statement which was copied to Soireenews.com, Mr Okudzeto, among other things, alluded to “disparities and grave inconsistencies” in the unit cost of the Astroturf facilities funded by GNPC through its Corporate Social Investment arm, the GNPC Foundation.
"The Foundation wishes to set the records straight and to assure the public of its commitment to impacting positively on people and communities within GNPC’s production enclave and across the country through the implementation of social impact programmes and projects," the noted.
Articulating on the facts of the project, the statement asserted that the GNPC Foundation’s 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.
It said the Astroturf project seeks to help hone existing football and sporting talents across the country.
According to the statement, the GNPC funded Astroturf facilities are constructed with FIFA quality approved materials and are set to FIFA specifications with pitch dimensions of 96x66 meters. Each facility is equipped with wire fencing and flood lights.
At the outset of the project in 2018, the statement mentioned that the cost of construction of each Astroturf was pegged at $250,000 (GH¢997,337.00).
The statement explained that 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.
Currently, the statement stressed that the cost per Astroturf facility stands at US$350,000 (GH¢2,366,666.68) with the incremental costs attributed to rising cost in construction.
"Honourable Okudzeto’s interpretation of the reported figure of GH¢319,813.00 as the unit cost of each Astroturf is factually inaccurate and misleading.
The statement noted 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. Indeed, this figure only represents 20% of the total contract sum of GH¢1,599,065.00 per facility in 2019-2020.
The statement therefore said the GH319,813.00 quoted in the PIAC report represents progress payment based on milestones.
According to the statement, the 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 – 2,366,666,68.00 as stated above.
From the details shared above, the statement maintained that it is evident Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa in his social media publication failed to appreciate and understand the PIAC report in its entirety as one detailing expenditure on projects within the calendar year rather than one on total cost of the project.
The statement assured all Ghanaians that the GNPC Foundation would continue to offer support to Ghanaians across the country.
The statement appealed to the public to be circumspect in the sharing of information received on GNPC Programmes, projects, and activities to avoid causing needless sensation and public disaffection.
