One of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Nigeria, rLG Communications Limited which also runs a plant in Ghana, has agreed to repay an amount GH¢6 million (about N1.5bn) to Ghanaian government after it failed to supply 12,733 laptops under the Free Laptop Distribution Programme in 2010.
However, all orders placed by Osun State Government on the production of laptops for students were delivered as and when due. The Nigerian plant of the company is located in the state
This was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, in his presentation at the Public Account Committee (PAC) who are looking at some violations contained in the 2015 Auditor General’s Report in relation to his Ministry and the various departments under the Ministry.
According to Ghana News Agency, the PAC is currently holding public sittings on the Report of the Auditor General for the Public Accounts of Ghana for the year ended 31st December, 2015.
Trouble started in 2010 when the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology contracted RLG Communications Limited for GH¢51,257,500.00 to provide and distribute 103,181 pieces of laptops.
The company was only able to produce for distribution 90,448, leaving a balance of 12,733 pieces of laptops worth GH¢6,366,875.00.
In his further submission, Prof Frimpong Boateng said the money has been outstanding for some years now and an arrangement has been reached with the company for a refund of the amount to the government.
The Minister was silent on why government chose refund than completion of delivery.
