Minister to blacklist contractors for shoddy work

Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, the Upper West Regional Minister, has warned that consultants and contractors that do shoddy works on government projects would be blacklisted in the region.

He said they could have their work terminated should they fail to supervise their works, use the right materials, or hand over projects on time.

Dr. Nsoh said this at the weekend when he inspected on-going government projects in the Wa Municipality.

The minister inspected the Regional Innovation Centre, which was started in 2009 by the Ministry of Communication at a cost of GH¢382,000. Work on the project is 85% complete though it was expected to be completed in 2012.

Dr. Nsoh also visited the site for construction of the new Upper West Regional Library, by Messrs Consar Limited. The GETFund (Ghana Education Trust Fund) project, which was given out on contract in 2010 at a cost of three million Ghana Cedis, is 60% complete.

At the Wa Senior High Technical School, the Regional Minister inspected eight projects - an assembly hall, science and mathematics laboratory, dining hall and kitchen, administration block, dormitory blocks, semi-detached quarters, classrooms and a fence wall.

Six of the projects had been completed and handed over to the school for use while a 12-unit classroom block that was yet to be completed was in use, and the dormitory block was also yet to be completed.

Dr. Nsoh later inspected a site for proposed hall of residence for students of the University of Development Studies, lecture hall complex, clinic, library complex with offices, a 12-unit classroom for the Wa Senior High School and a primary and Administration block at the Wa School for the Deaf.

He expressed satisfaction with most of the projects that were under construction and encouraged contractors to speed up the work.

Dr. Nsoh told the contractors not to use inadequate allocation of funds for the projects as an excuse, but should count themselves blessed for getting the contracts.

Prof. Francis Z.L. Bacho, Dean in-charge of the Wa Campus for the University of Development Studies, commended the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council for the support given to the Wa campus since its establishment in September 2002.

He said they could open up more faculties in the Wa Campus should the projects under construction be completed on time.