The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has hinted that they will go on strike if Government fails to pay outstanding and current debts owed them for supplies made to schools in the last three years in the two week promise made by the government.
The Association, with 250 members, supplying uniforms, stationery, and foodstuffs to Senior High Schools, said if Government did not settle the debt in two weeks, the members would picket the Ministry of Education.
Speaking to Ohene Kinnah on Plan B FM late afternoon show Mr, Twumasi an executive member of the Association, said they have made supplies to schools since 2021 but they are yet to receive full payment over the period.
He said they were paid in batches, adding that, out of the 19 batches of supplies, only five batches of payment have been made to some members.
“Payment for a he supplies we made to schools for the past three years is always delayed. Some supplies made in the 2021 school year are still in arrears, and about 60 percent of 2022 school year supplies are outstanding,” he said, adding that: “The Ministry has failed to fulfill its promise of paying us our monies at our meeting about three months ago.”
Mr. Tumasi said the situation has subjected them to all sorts of embarrassment from their bankers and creditors, saying some members are losing valuable properties used as collateral to banks, with others dying out of insolvency and misery.
“This development is seriously threatening the survival of our businesses. Our spouses, workers, and dependants risk losing their livelihood” he added.
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