The Oti Regional Minister, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in the area, have come under heavy fire from Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, for failing to swiftly report road contractors who have postponed or abandoned government road projects.
During an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in the Oti Region, where he evaluated the status of various infrastructure projects and spoke with regional and district authorities, the Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu in the Volta Region, expressed his disappointment.
Mr. Agbodza questioned why contractors who were not fulfilling their contractual responsibilities had not been reported to his office by the Regional Minister and the impacted MDAs.
He questioned, “I do not understand why you would sit quietly when contractors are not working instead of bringing the matter to my attention. Why should anyone be afraid of offending a contractor?”
The Minister emphasised that contracts to upgrade the nation’s road infrastructure had been issued by the government, and that contractors were expected to produce in accordance with predetermined deadlines and specifications.
He stated that any contractor who failed to fulfil their contractual commitments, abandoned the site, or postponed work without cause should be notified right away to the Ministry so that the appropriate sanctions or corrective actions can be taken.
Mr. Agbodza warned district and regional officials not to keep quiet while road projects languished, claiming that doing so would undermine the government’s development program and deprive communities of vital infrastructure.
“If you cannot report these issues for immediate action, then the responsibility is not being discharged as expected. We must all be accountable and ensure that contractors fulfil their obligations,” he stated.
He asked technical officers, regional ministers, and chief executives of municipalities and districts to keep a careful eye on all road projects within their purview and to be in constant contact with the Ministry when difficulties emerged.
The government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s road system was reiterated by the Roads and Highways Minister, who also gave citizens the assurance that contractors who did not fulfil their obligations would be held responsible in line with their contractual obligations.
The inspection was a component of the Minister’s statewide visit to track road project progress, pinpoint implementation issues, and guarantee cost-effective execution of government-funded infrastructure nationwide.
In response to the Minister’s worries, Mr. John Kwadwo Gyapong, the Oti Regional Minister, stated that although contractors had informed him that the heavy equipment needed for the projects was “on the sea” to arrive, such assurances have continually fallen short.
Mr. Gyapong referenced China Jiangxi Engineering Ghana Ltd.’s explanation for the Nkwanta-Oti–Damanko road project’s execution delays, characterising the repeated promises as unfulfilled.
Source: newsthemegh.com