PIAC queries petroleum-funded road project in Volta Region

A petroleum-funded road project in Volta Region has come under scrutiny after inspectors found no evidence of the bitumen surfacing recorded in official documents, raising fresh questions about the implementation and oversight of projects financed with oil revenues.

The discrepancy was uncovered by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) during an inspection of projects funded through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) in the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions.

According to the Committee, records available to it indicated that the Ehi-Dzodze Road project had received petroleum revenue allocations for bitumen surfacing.

However, during inspection of the project, it was observed during a site visit that the road remained unsurfaced while residents told the Committee only drainage works had been undertaken.

This finding has prompted PIAC to seek clarification from the relevant authorities as part of its oversight of petroleum-funded projects, amid wider concerns about delays, maintenance challenges and the overall impact of public investments financed through oil revenues.

The Committee said this emerged during inspections in the Ketu North and Ketu South districts of the Volta Region.

PIAC also visited the Gakli Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound in Ketu South, where it found that the facility is providing essential healthcare services including handling about 200 maternity-related cases each month.

Despite its importance to the community, the Committee said inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages and poor road access continue to affect service delivery.

It further observed that although the nurses’ quarters are occupied, the mechanised borehole installed to provide water for the facility was not functioning at the time of inspection.

The inspection formed part of PIAC’s statutory mandate to monitor and evaluate use of petroleum revenues under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA).

In Eastern Region, the Committee inspected projects in the Kwahu Afram Plains North and Kwahu Afram Plains South districts, where it found that a three-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities for Kamalo D/A Junior High School had been completed.

However, the facility remains unused because of a bat infestation.

The Committee also noted an acute shortage of teachers, with only two instructors serving pupils from the primary and junior high school levels – resulting in combined classes.

PIAC further inspected pothole-patching work on the Maame Krobo Regional Boundary Road. Although the project has been completed, portions of the repaired sections have already started deteriorating.

The Committee said it has been informed that arrangements are underway for a contractor to undertake additional rehabilitation works on the road.

Summarising its findings, PIAC said the inspection exercise presented a mixed picture of progress and challenges in the implementation of petroleum revenue-funded projects.

“While several completed projects are delivering benefits to communities, others face operational, maintenance, occupancy, staffing and completion challenges that limit the intended impact of public investments,” it said.

The Committee renewed calls for implementing agencies, contractors, local authorities and beneficiary institutions to ensure completed projects are fully operational, properly maintained and supported with the human resources needed to maximise benefits from petroleum revenue investments.

It also reiterated concerns about the continued exclusion of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) from project selection, implementation and maintenance processes, describing the issue as one that still requires attention.

PIAC said it remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in the management and utilisation of petroleum revenues across the country.