The contractor managing the Enchi–Elubo Road project has received a severe warning from Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways, threatening to remove them from the project if they don’t improve their performance right away.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, May 12, following an inspection of the road project, the Minister bemoaned the poor pace of construction despite the government having paid a mobilisation fee of GH₵80.2 million to the contractor, Top Engineering International Limited.
Agbodza clarified that even if the Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority had instructed him to give the contractor more time, the project’s current situation is still intolerable.
“The only reason I’m not terminating the contract right now is that they have GH₵80.2 million of our money in their pocket, and retrieving that money will be difficult. We are totally disappointed. In fact, this is one of the worst situations we have seen since we started monitoring the Big Push projects,” he added.
The Roads Minister also chastised the contractor’s management, saying that the company’s beneficial owner is frequently abroad and hard to get in touch with when issues are brought up regarding the project.
He then gave Top Engineering International Limited representatives a week’s notice to appear before the Ghana Highway Authority, explaining the project’s delays and outlining steps to speed it up.
“Wherever you are, if you are still interested, you cannot take our GH₵80.2 million, and when we are looking for you, we can’t find you. We don’t owe you anything. Over 5,000 people want this job. If you cannot do it, step aside,” Agbodza warned.
The Enchi–Elubo Road is a component of the government’s larger infrastructure plan, Big Push, which aims to enhance transit and stimulate economic activity in the Western North and Western regions.
Source: newsthemegh.com