Don’t test Akufo-Addo’s government – Roads Minister cautions contractors

Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has cautioned all contractors, especially, those in the road sector, not to joke with the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government, since it will not compromise on quality and prompt delivery of projects that will be awarded to them.

According to Hon. Amoako-Attah, although contractors have had to endure a torrid period of non-payment of contracts executed for some years now, the situation under President Akufo-Addo’s watch will be different.

The government, he said, will award road contracts backed by money to ensure prompt payment; therefore, there will be no room to entertain delays and shoddy work.

“There will be no room to entertain excuses and delay of the work. We are going to pay for these roads with taxes paid by all Ghanaians and woe betides any contractor to joke with project awarded him. Under the government of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, no contractor should put this government to test. Ghanaians must be given value for money. The Government as the employer will do its best of this arrangement”, he noted.

Hon. Amoako-Attah made this observation, Wednesday, when delivering the keynote address at the sod cutting ceremony to commence rehabilitation work on death-trap Dome-Kwabenya roads at Dome in Accra.

Commenting further on the issue, he said the kind of road sector in the country needs much to be desired.

About 39% of the roads in the country are in very good condition with the rest either in poor or fair condition.

He attributed the deplorable nature of the road networks in the country largely to the non-payment of contracts awarded them but stressed that under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, things will be different.

“Look at the kind of road sector we have in our country. It is in a miserable state. Roads are constructed and within some few months, they start developing potholes. I must be very honest with you because most of them – the road construction which was started did not see completion.

There are some contractors who have not been paid for three years. Some have also not been paid for five years. Contractors from now onwards will have no excuse for delivery of shoddy works because this government will deliver its side of the obligation and when that is done, woe betides any contractor who will shortchange this government.”