Member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused President Akufo-Addo and finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta of handing over airport lands to a company by name Heaven Builders Limited in his latest exposé christened, ‘Heaven Scandal’.
According to him, the Heaven Scandal is yet another classic manifestation of “create, loot and share”. He revealed that the latest exposé is an incontrovertible confirmation of the public confessions of not only top NPP insiders, but also reflects a “tragic reality about how there will be no country left if Ghanaians do not rise up to demand an end to the pillage”.
Mr Ablakwa indicated that in an intercepted offer letter dated December 16, 2022, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey conveys the offer and allocations to the Managing Director of Heaven Builders Limited.
Describing the agreement as an “outrageous sweetheart deal”, Mr Ablakwa noted that the GACL assures Heaven Builders that it will become owners of 38.14 acres of prime airport land in the immediate environs of the Kotoka International Airport under the Airport City Phase 2 Project if they agree to carry out some “dubious” infrastructure such as roads and drains at a so-called cost of US$85,021,340.00.
“On the blind side of Parliament and the Ghanaian people, President Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta have granted approval for our prime airport lands to be handed over under the most shady of circumstances to a company known as Heaven Builders Limited.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Furthermore, Mr Ablakwa highlighted that the offer letter does not provide any independent verification mechanism for really assessing that any claim by Heaven Builders that it has invested US$85million in infrastructure is indeed accurate.
He explained that “strangely”, no one knows how that infrastructure cost was arrived at.
“Even more shocking is the decision by the buccaneer Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to adopt this model of a generous crony giveaway to Heaven Builders when GACL could raise their own equity for infrastructure even from our local banks considering the fact that GACL are the direct owners of this prime 93 acre land.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Moreover, the North Tongu legislator expressed that Ghanaians would be more devastated to know that because this is a behind the scenes “sleazy sweetheart deal”, Heaven Builders have made a counteroffer in a letter dated 23rd January 2023, signed by Frank Owiredu-Affum, a director, where they demand more land.
To this end, he emphasized that Heaven Builders is now asking for a massive 62.14 acres for the same consideration, which is almost double what they were initially offered.
Among other things, he revealed that the company is also demanding that the lease period be extended from 45 years to 99 years.
“Heaven Builders and their collaborators are perhaps the most powerful and courageous prime land looters this country has ever seen. At current commercial value, an acre of prime land at Airport can be averagely worth US$4million. Under the initial offer to Heaven Builders of 38.14 acres, they stand to make in excess of US$152million.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Division within GACL top management
Meanwhile, Mr Ablakwa indicated that once Heavens Limited’s current demand for 62.14 acres is approved, it walks away with a cool US$248.56million. With this, he stated that the “faceless mafia” behind Heaven Builders must assume Ghana belongs to them, “but their days are numbered”.
“My unimpeachable sources within GACL have informed me about how top management is sharply divided about this Heaven Builders Affair. Those against the deal are upset about the naked thievery and future consequences, particularly, when the next NDC administration decides to prosecute.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Moreover, Mr Ablakwa revealed that the tension over the “mega airport prime land loot” almost cost the current Managing Director, Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey her job when she was threatened with dismissal after being accused of delaying the deal and refusing to succumb to the “outlandish” counteroffer of Heaven Builders.
This, he noted, is what led to the workers’ union issuing a strongly worded statement on August 16, 2023, alleging that there was a plot to remove the Managing Director and warning of dire consequences if that happened.
In the interim, Mr Ablakwa revealed that when Parliament resumes in a few days, the minority shall be demanding an enquiry into the Heaven Scandal.
He underscored that the minority will also summon all those officials involved in the “secret land grab”, and that they must be prepared to explain why they kept parliament in the dark and didn’t seek prior parliamentary approval.
” This Mafioso-style looting of prime airport lands is another reason we must all be demonstrably angry at this regime, and ensure we show up for OccupyBoG demonstration at 7am.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
READ ALSO: Finance Expert Advocates For Audit On E-levy
