I will make sure we have enough money to pay road contractors - Roads Minister-designate
The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has pledged to prioritise the timely payment of road contractors to ensure the smooth delivery of infrastructure projects across the country.
Speaking during his vetting by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, Mr. Agbodza gave assurance on his commitment to addressing the longstanding challenges of delayed payments to contractors, which have hampered the completion of critical road projects.
"I will make sure we have enough money to pay road contractors on time. Without this, we cannot ensure the timely completion of our road networks, which are essential for economic growth and connectivity," he stated.
Mr. Agbodza also underscored the need for improved coordination between the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ministry of Energy, and local authorities to address streetlight installations and road safety.
He noted that inconsistencies in the supply and quality of streetlights have been a significant issue, often affecting road safety.
"There is a synergy between energy use and the safety of roads. The lack of coordination has led to situations where streetlights installed on national roads are either substandard or not properly maintained, compromising the safety of road users," he observed.
Addressing broader concerns within the road sector, Mr. Agbodza called for increased transparency and efficiency in project implementation.
He cited the importance of conducting proper value-for-money assessments for road projects to prevent cost overruns and ensure that public funds are used judiciously.
"The challenges we face require a commitment to accountability. We must avoid the pitfalls of inflated costs and delayed projects by ensuring that every cedi spent delivers value," he added.
The Roads and Highways minister-designate urged stakeholders to work together to resolve the systemic issues affecting the sector.
He underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, and contractors to achieve sustainable progress in road infrastructure development.
"We must support and encourage each other to address the real problems in the road sector. Only by working together can we ensure the safety, connectivity, and development of our road networks," Mr. Agbodza said.
The vetting session also saw Mr. Agbodza address other pressing issues in the sector, including the maintenance of rural roads, the need for durable road infrastructure, and strategies to minimise accidents on the country's highways.