GARDNERS PLUMBLING & SEWAGE SERVICES LTD. (PLAINTIFF) vs. ATTORNEY

GARDNERS PLUMBLING & SEWAGE SERVICES LTD. (PLAINTIFF) vs. ATTORNEY – GENERAL (DE... [2019]DLHC7132

Date	2019-07-31
Suit No.	SUIT NO: GJ/369/2019
Citation No.	[2019]DLHC7132

HIS LORDSHIP SAMUEL K. A. ASIEDU J.

ADJABENG AKRASI ESQ. FOR THE PLAINTIFF.

TRICIA QUARTEY ESQ. FOR THE DEFENDANT

[2019]DLHC7132
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >GARDNERS PLUMBLING &amp;
SEWAGE SERVICES LTD.<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>ATTORNEY – GENERAL<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT)<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[HIGH COURT (COMMERCIAL DIVISION), ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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SUIT
NO: GJ/369/2019&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; DATE: 31ST
JULY, 2019<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL: <o:p></o:p>ADJABENG AKRASI ESQ., FOR
THE PLAINTIFF.<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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TRICIA
QUARTEY ESQ., FOR THE DEFENDANT<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM:<o:p></o:p>HIS LORDSHIP SAMUEL K. A.
ASIEDU, J.<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">RULING<o:p></o:p>

</div>The
instant application seeks an order to set down for determination the issue
whether or not the plaintiff’s claim indorsed on the writ of summons is statute
barred in view of the fact that the plaintiff seeks to recover an amount of GH₵61,383.59 which it says was due to it as far back
as September 2001.<o:p></o:p>The
defendant/applicant referred to section 4 of the Limitation Act, 1972, NRCD 54
and submitted that in view of the claim indorsed on the writ of summons,
particularly the relief for the recovery of the sum allegedly due the plaintiff
from the Ministry of Works and Housing, that the plaintiff’s claim is statute
barred.<o:p></o:p>Counsel
for the plaintiff however submitted that in view of a letter by the Consultant
to the project written on the 23rd May 2017, the indebtedness of the
Ministry to the plaintiff is acknowledged and therefore the suit by the
plaintiff is not caught by the statute of limitation.<o:p></o:p>It
is very important to point out that at paragraph 10 of the statement of claim
the plaintiff pleaded that: <o:p></o:p>10.Plaintiff says on the basis of the Ministry’s
aforesaid letter, the Auditors contacted the&nbsp;
Ministry’s principal consultant on the project, Messrs. RhayCARD, which
confirmed, by a letter dated 23/05/17 that Plaintiff indeed executed plumbing
works under Phase II of the conversion of the State House into House of
Parliament.<o:p></o:p>In
response thereto the defendant pleaded at paragraph 6 of the statement of
defence that: <o:p></o:p>6. The Defendant makes no admission regarding
paragraphs 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Statement of Claim and will put the Plaintiff
to strict proof of the averment therein.<o:p></o:p>The
above averment in paragraph 6 of the defendant’s statement of defence shows
clearly that the defendant does not deny that Messrs. RhayCARD was the
principal consultant for the Ministry of Works and Housing in respect of the
execution of the project or works in question.<o:p></o:p>Indeed
in the said letter, exhibit 3 herein, written by Messrs. RhayCARD on the 23rd
May 2017, the plaintiff’s principal consultant expressed itself at paragraphs 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 that: <o:p></o:p>1. Gardners and Plumbing Co. Ltd.’s appointment
letter by the Ministry of Works and Housing for Phase II<o:p></o:p>2. Gardners and Plumbing Co. Ltd executed plumbing
works on Phase II and submitted claims in September, 2001<o:p></o:p>3. No certificate was prepared for Gardners as the
Ministry was not in the position at the time to honour payment certificates to
contractors. <o:p></o:p>4. Gardners was therefore not paid for plumbing
works executed since 2001.<o:p></o:p>5. Gardners resubmitted revised claims in October,
2001 but again due to lack of funds for the project no certificate was prepared
then.<o:p></o:p>7. Gardners resubmitted his claims for vetting to
the consultants when funds for the project were available for the reactivation
of the project.<o:p></o:p>8. The vetting was carried out by the mechanical
consultant on the project accordingly and duly concluded, then forwarded to us
in July, </main>