Jinapor knew there was no money for Damongo water, brought the Prez to deceive Yagbonwura - Garlus

 

By: Mudasiru Afari Techi 

Former Member of Parliament for Damongo, Adam Mutawakilu, also known as Garlus, has alleged that his successor, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor was very aware that there was no funding for the Damongo Water project in 2020 when he brought the president to deceive the Yagbonwura and the people of Damongo with a deceptive sod cutting. 

He that it was the New Patriotic Party, NPP, that has a track record of deceiving chiefs in Damongo. 

The former ranking member of the mines and energy committee of Parliament made the allegations in an interview on Kasha FM Flagship morning show, "Ashumaa Savannah," on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Mutawakilu's assertions focused on what he described as a consistent pattern of broken promises and deception by the NPP towards chiefs in Damongo. 

He pointed to 2008 when the NPP deceived the then-Damongowura Jakpa lemu Tuntumba (II) to cut sod for the Damongo Fufulso Sawla road project when they knew there was no money for it. 

According to him, the project saw no progress until the National Democratic Congress NDC took charge of its execution.

The former MP continued by alleging a similar occurrence in 2017, following the NPP's return to power. 

He claimed the party, led by then deputy chief of staff Jinapor deceived the late overlord of the Gonja kingdom, Jira Yagbonwura Tuntuba Boresa (II), into initiating the Damongo water project without clarity regarding the contractor and funding for the project. 

In contrast to the NPP's alleged practices, Mutawakilu praised the approach taken by the NDC during their tenure.

He pointed out that during the construction of the Fufulso Sawla Road in 2012 under NDC leadership, contractors were on-site and actively engaged in work before the sod-cutting ceremony took place. 

This, according to him, exemplified a more transparent and accountable process compared to what he claimed the NPP had done adding that same will be done on the Damongo Water project in 2025 when he and John Mahama returns to power. 

These allegations have triggered discussions on political promises and development, with no official response yet from the NPP.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2020 cut sod for the execution of the Damongo Water project with Samuel Abdulai Jinapor by his side. But four years on, work is yet to commence. 

The project was meant to end the perennial Water crisis in the Savannah Regional capital.