The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has warned contractors who will be engaged under a new $500 million World Bank-funded feeder roads project that they will face strict monitoring to ensure value for money.
Parliament on Tuesday, July 21, approved the credit facility, which is expected to finance the rehabilitation of feeder roads, road maintenance and improve all-season farm-to-market connectivity in selected districts across the country.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after the approval, Mr. Agbodza said government would implement rigorous supervision measures to ensure that funds allocated for road projects are used for their intended purpose.
He cautioned contractors against treating the project as a routine business opportunity, insisting that only those prepared to deliver durable roads should participate.
“If you are a contractor and you see this as just business, please don’t turn up because you will not have it easy,” he said.
The Roads Minister assured Parliament that contractors would be closely monitored to ensure projects are completed according to required standards and remain durable for their expected lifespan.
“Supervision of the work to make sure that the contractors who take these monies carry out the work to the letter… when you take public money to build roads, you don’t only build roads but you build roads to last the time you say it will last,” he stated.
Mr. Agbodza also described the approval of the facility as a significant step, arguing that it would represent one of the first instances where a major loan secured for roads would be used almost entirely for its stated purpose.
“This should be the first time we take a loan and we will actually use 98% of the money for the label that we put on them,” he said.
He noted that a significant portion of government’s capital expenditure goes into road infrastructure, adding that the ministry must be able to justify every resource committed to the sector through quality and lasting projects.
The $500 million facility is expected to improve rural connectivity, support agricultural activities and ease transportation challenges between farming communities and markets.
Credits: 3News.com
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