The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has strongly criticised the Oti Regional Minister and Municipal and District Assemblies in the region for failing to promptly report road contractors who have abandoned or delayed government road projects.
The Minister expressed his disappointment during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in the Oti Region, where he assessed the progress of various infrastructural works and interacted with regional and district authorities.
Mr Agbodza questioned why the Regional Minister and the affected MMDAs had not informed his office about contractors who were failing to execute their contractual obligations.
"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?" he asked.
The Minister stressed that the government had awarded contracts to improve the country's road infrastructure and expected contractors to deliver according to agreed timelines and specifications. He noted that any contractor who abandoned site, delayed work without justification, or failed to meet contractual obligations should be reported immediately to the Ministry for the necessary sanctions or corrective measures.
Mr Agbodza cautioned regional and district authorities against remaining silent while road projects stalled, stating that such inaction undermined the government's development agenda and deprived communities of critical 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 urged Regional Ministers, Municipal and District Chief Executives, as well as technical officers, to closely monitor all road projects within their jurisdictions and maintain regular communication with the Ministry whenever challenges arose.
The Roads and Highways Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving the nation's road network and assured residents that contractors who failed to perform would be held accountable in accordance with the terms of their contracts.
The inspection formed part of the Minister's nationwide tour to monitor the progress of road projects, identify implementation challenges, and ensure value for money in the execution of government-funded infrastructure across the country.
Responding to the Minister's concerns, the Oti Regional Minister, Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, said contractors often assured him that heavy equipment required for the projects was "on the sea" to arrive, but those promises had consistently failed to materialise.
Mr Gyapong cited the explanation given by China Jiangxi Engineering Ghana Ltd over delays in executing the Nkwanta-Oti-Damanko road project, describing the repeated assurances as unfulfilled.
