Inadequate funding delays road works - Salia

Accra (Greater Accra), 24 Feb. '99 -

Accra (Greater Accra), 24 Feb. '99 - Mr Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport, said today the delay in road construction and rehabilitation works is due to government's inability to secure adequate donor funding. Mr Salia, who was in Parliament to answer questions from members, said without adequate funding, the Ministry will not be able to keep pace with work on the country's roads. Responding to a question on the Jasikan-Kadjebi-Yendi road by Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, Member of Parliament for Akan, the Minister said the 180-kilometre road has been programmed for reconstruction in phases. He said the 76-kilometre first phase was awarded to Kassardjian as far back as 1993, and admitted that work on it had been rather slow. This admittance by the Minister received criticisms from some Minority members who wondered why in spite of the slow pace of work on some road projects, the ministry was not looking at the possibility of disposing of old contracts first, but was still awarding new contracts. Mr Salia said road contracts which delay cost the government so much, and that as soon as funds are available, all on-going projects will be completed before new ones are tackled in order to achieve the best results. On the second phase of the Jasikan-Kadjebi - Yendi road project, the Minister said, "it is being evaluated, and that there is the possibility to re-award it to a more competent contractor". Asked when the bridge over river Amoma near Atronie in the Brong-Ahafo Region damaged by a Mim Timber Company truck more than a decade ago will be repaired, Mr Salia assured the MP, Mr Emmanuel Baah- Danquah that the bridge will go for tender by the close of the year. "It will be rehabilitated before the end of the year 2000". He said the ministry will continue to put sign posts at crucial points on the country's roads, and warned the public to desist from tampering with them.