The Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, has warned contractors who fail to meet project timelines that their contracts will be terminated and reassigned.
He said the government would not tolerate unnecessary delays, particularly as it continues efforts to accelerate road construction nationwide by honouring its financial commitments to contractors.
Mr Agbodza issued the warning during an inspection tour of road projects in the Eastern, Volta and Oti regions, beginning at Atimpoku.
He said contractors selected under the government’s “Big Push” initiative were chosen based on their technical capacity and ability to deliver within agreed schedules, and should therefore not hide behind excuses for delays.
The Minister noted that while some contractors were making significant progress under the same working conditions, others continued to lag behind.
He urged contractors who had fallen behind schedule to return to site and increase the pace of work, stressing that failure to meet expected milestones could result in the cancellation and reassignment of their contracts.
Mr Agbodza explained that the inspection formed part of the Ministry’s efforts to monitor ongoing projects, ensure compliance with timelines and improve the quality of road infrastructure across the country.
At the Atimpoku-Asikuma section of the Tema-Ho highway, he commended Ussuya Ghana Limited for improving its pace of work, saying the level of mobilisation on site indicated that the contractor could recover lost time.
On concerns about congestion and utility lines within Juapong township, the Minister said the Ministry would engage relevant stakeholders to resolve the challenges.
He explained that the expansion of the road required additional space beyond the existing right of way and assured that due processes would be followed in relocating affected structures, including payment of appropriate compensation.
He added that institutions such as the Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Limited would be engaged to facilitate the relocation of utility infrastructure to allow for smooth execution of the project.
Mr Agbodza urged residents along project corridors to cooperate with authorities to ensure timely completion of road works.
He praised Ussuya Ghana Limited for the quality of work being delivered at the site, describing it as one of the best standards observed during the tour.
The Minister acknowledged the impact of the rainy season on road construction but said the challenges provided lessons for improving future project delivery.
At the Have-Peki section of the Eastern Corridor Road, Mr Agbodza expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work undertaken by a previous contractor.
He described as unacceptable a situation where about 28 kilometres of road, which had already been paid for, would require reconstruction due to poor workmanship.
Mr Agbodza also announced that contractors currently handling projects would not be awarded new contracts until they completed their existing assignments.
The inspection tour covered several other project sites, including the Have-Hohoe (53km), Hohoe-Jasikan (30km), Dodo Pepesu-Nkwanta-Dambai (46km), and Nkwanta-Oti Damanko and Nkwanta-Dambai (41km) road sections.
