The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has reduced the scope of work assigned to two contractors on the Wenchi–Bole road project by 25 kilometres each, citing concerns over their slow pace of work.
China International Water and Electric Corporation and Poly Changda Engineering Company were each awarded contracts to construct separate 50-kilometre sections of the Western Corridor road.
However, following an assessment of progress on the project, Mr Agbodza said the pace of construction fell short of government’s expectations, raising concerns about the contractors’ ability to complete their respective sections within the required timeframe.
The Minister has consequently directed that the scope of each contractor be reduced from 50 kilometres to 25 kilometres, with the remaining 25-kilometre sections to be reassigned to two new contractors.
Speaking during a site inspection in the Savannah Region on Wednesday, September 2, Mr Agbodza said the decision was necessary to inject greater urgency into the project and accelerate construction.
He said the performance of the two existing contractors would be closely monitored over the next two months, warning that failure to meet agreed targets could result in the withdrawal of their remaining 25-kilometre sections.
“If they can’t, we take the rest away from them. This is very disappointing. This is completely disappointing,” Mr Agbodza said.
He said the government would not allow the project to stall when other capable contractors could be brought in to accelerate work.
“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 brought in immediately to take over the sections removed from the existing contracts.
He stressed that the decision was aimed at improving the pace of construction and ensuring that the road project is completed within the government’s planned timeframe.
The Minister further warned that the government could terminate the contracts of the two existing contractors if their performance does not improve during the two-month monitoring period.
