The Upper East Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) has called out the Akuffo Addo/Bawumia NPP for abandoning some development projects in the region and initiating none to bring development to the region.
The NDC in its maiden “Upper East Must know ” series at the party headquarters in Zuarungu, criticised the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) lead by president Nana Akuffo Addo and Vice president Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia for its failure to complete the 102.55km Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road project which was scheduled to have been completed un 2019.
” The 102.55km Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road project was awarded on 26th August,
2016 at a sum of Ghs612.744 million by the erstwhile H.E John Darmani Mahama’s government to Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A. Works on the project commenced on the 7th December,
2016 for completion on 4th June 2019, a period of 30 months.
“In recent weeks as witnessed by you all, the construction firm, QGMI a subsidiary of
Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A working on the major parts of the Bolgatanga-Bawku Polimakom road project has moved all its heavy equipment and machines out of the region.”
Addressing the media, the regional Communication Director of the NDC, Mr. Jonathan Abdallah said its investigations has revealed that the contractor parked out of the construction site because of government’s failure to pay certificates raised by bthe contractor as a resultof the Domestic Debt ExchangeProgram.”
” Our sources tell us that this recent suspension of the project is due to the
Domestic Debt Structuring Programme (DDEP) imposed on ghanaians by this wicked
government as part of the IMF’s conditionalities.”
Mr. Abdallah added that the NPP government upon assumption of power in 2017, suspended the project which slowed progress of work on the road and the accumulation of interest on delayed payments and added that the suspension of the road project has resulted in an increase in the contruct sum.
“Ladies and gentlemen, on Tuesday, 24th March, 2020, a renegotiated agreement between the
Akufo-Addo led government and Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A for an amount of One
Hundred and Thirty-Five million Euros (€135, 000,000.00) for the construction of the
Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road was presented to parliament and was approved on the 27th March, 2020. If we convert this into Ghana cedis, it will be over one billion Ghana cedis.
” On 7th November, 2017, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-NPP government due to non-payment of certificates raised by the contractor resulted in the suspension of the project. This led to the accumulation of considerable interest on the delayed payments, and slowed down work on the project during the construction period.”
The NDC said the it had paid Gh91.91 million which represents 20% of the total contruct sum as mobilisation sum. It said the NPP government however only paid Gh40.6 million for work done since its inception into government.
“The contractor was paid advance mobilization of 20% of the original contract sum which amounts GHs91.91 million, and after that seven (7) other payments were made totaling GHs40.6 million. The total work certified is in the sum of GHs122.51 million.”
Mr. Abdallah also alledged that the failure of the government to honour certificates raised by the contractor has led to about 400 workers of the firm been laid off.
” Our sources within the construction firm indicate that about four hundred (400) workers of the project have been laid off.”
The party has therefore called on government to honour its debt obligations to the contractor to enable him return to site to complete the project considering the enormous benefit that residents of the region stand to benefit if the prohect is completed.
“We in the NDC as a matter of urgency call on the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to honour all its financial obligations to the contractors to return to site. We hold the view that if the necessary payments are advanced to the contractors, works on the project will be completed as scheduled considering their track record in executing such capital-intensive projects. There must not be further delays to this project since it had already suffered enough delays.”
“Government must not abandon the project at this time considering the enormous benefits it will bring the region and country. The project will among others benefits
lower vehicular operating costs, lead to reduction in pedestrian and vehicular congestion and
consequently cost of transportation for both passenger and cargo. It will enhance economic
activities, improve public transport and standard of living of citizenry, be a catalyst for economic
growth, create jobs for the skilled and non-skilled labour in the area, reduce loss of productive
man-hours, and improve commuter and pedestrian safety along the project corridor.”
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com