Adoa News Adoa News
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has ordered a reduction in the scope of work for two contractors working on the Wenchi–Bole road project following concerns over delays in construction.
China International Water and Electric Corporation and Poly Changda Engineering Company were initially contracted to construct separate 50-kilometre stretches of the Western Corridor road.
However, after assessing the progress of work, Mr Agbodza said the level of construction achieved by the two companies did not meet the government’s expectations.
As a result, the Minister has directed that each contractor’s assigned stretch be reduced from 50 kilometres to 25 kilometres.
The remaining 25 kilometres previously allocated to each company will be handed over to two other contractors to help speed up the project.
Mr Agbodza announced the decision on Wednesday, September 2, during a site inspection of the project in the Savannah Region.
He explained that the move was intended to introduce greater urgency into the construction process and prevent further delays.
The two contractors have been given a two-month period within which their performance will be assessed against agreed targets.
The Minister warned that if they fail to demonstrate significant improvement, government will withdraw the remaining portions of their contracts.
“If they can’t, we take the rest away from them. This is very disappointing. This is completely disappointing,” Mr Agbodza said.
He expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate mobilisation and slow progress after personally inspecting the road.
“It is very obvious China International Water and Poly Changda do not have what it takes. I’ve driven the length of this with you. The speed and mobilisation I see do not match the expectation,” he said.
Mr Agbodza said two new contractors would be engaged immediately to take over the sections removed from the existing contracts.
He stressed that government’s priority was to ensure that the Wenchi–Bole road project progressed at the required pace and was delivered within the planned timeframe.
The Minister also reiterated that the contracts of the two existing companies could be terminated altogether if their performance does not improve during the two-month monitoring period.