Organised Labour will hold an emergency meeting today to decide its next course of action after the National Pensions Regulatory Commission (NPRA) approved the sale of SSNIT shares in six hotels. On June 28, the NPRA instructed SSNIT to halt negotiations with Rock City regarding the sale of four hotels, pending further evaluation and discussion.
But answering questions on the floor of Parliament, Pensions Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah told Parliament on Thursday, July 11, that all due processes have been complied with. “Yes, it is true that NPRA came up with a directive, but I would appreciate it if my brother, my colleague, really read the directive from NPRA. It said it needed to be furnished with all information relating to the sale of the hotels, which SSNIT has since done that.
“So, it wasn’t like a direct something that SSNIT should not go ahead to do anything, but then, SSNIT can only go ahead when NPRA, which is the regulator within the field, had actually certified that they have seen all the documentation and the processes, and they think that we are good to go.
“Yes, so, as a minister, I can tell you on authority that NPRA has since indicated that they have seen the processes, and they think that SSNIT can go ahead.” He also outlined some reasons for the sale of SSNIT’s 60 percent shares in the hotels.
“SSNIT considered only the sale of shares for its hotel investment portfolio as a strategic decision after multiple attempts at restructuring proved insufficient. “70-60% of its shares are deemed the most viable solution to prevent further depletion of resources and to bring in private participation.”
“Is it a good business activity? Yes, I want to believe my colleague is listening to me fully, well because I answered by saying that some of the investments are either making low returns or making losses. “So it is not in all cases that we are making losses, but even for those that are making profits, the returns are low.”
By: Citi Newsroom