Work delays on Asankragwa-Enchi road
Top International Engineering, the Chinese firm working on the Asankragwa-Enchi Road project in the Western Region is cash strapped after one year of non-payment for work done.
Further delay in the release of funds by the Ministry of Roads and Highways may delay the 53-kilometre road which is expected to be completed by November, this year.
"We haven't received any payment for the work done for the last year. The outstanding amount has added up to GH¢26,076", the assistant manager of the construction firm, Mr Ran Zhi-Yong told the Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Amin Sulemani, when he inspected the road as part of his two-day working visit to the region.
"The financial constraint facing us is very serious. All our bankers have refused to release a single loan to us simply because we are not able to pay back for a very long time. All our sources of funds to continue this project has dried up", Mr Zhi-Yong stated.
Reconstruction work on the project started on November 14, 2007 at the initial cost of GH¢25 million to be completed in three years, in addition to a one year defect liability period.
Following variations made on the original design, the completion date was extended for three more years at a new cost of GH¢77 million.
Among others, the contractor has completed earth works and culverts for the entire stretch. Intersections and access roads have been completed for 36 kilometres, whilst a long stretch has been tarred.
The deputy resident engineer, Mr Thomas David Arthur indicated that the contractor was working hard to complete 30 kilometres of the road and hand it over to the government.
Travel time on the corridor has reduced significantly even though work has not been fully completed, Mr Arthur said, but expressed regret that more accidents were being recorded on it now that it was rather in a good condition.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Mr Michael Abbey, said the authority was working hard to resolve the backlog of payments for work done.
Alhaji Sulemani noted that some of the challenges with payment had to do with variations made to the original design, which shot up the contract sum.
He, however, gave the assurance that the money would be paid soon to enable the contractor to complete the project on time.
He advised officials of the Department of Urban Roads, GHA and Feeder Roads to reduce such variation orders.
He commended the contractors for a good job done and asked them to be patient whilst the government mobilised funds to settle their arrears.
Some members of the team on the two-day inspection tour included the Chief Director of the ministry, Dr Daniel Darku, the Directors of Urban Roads and Feeder Roads, Alhaji Abass Awolu and Mr George Afful Aidoo.
Story: Naa Lamiley Bentil
Writer’s email:naalamiley.bentil@graphic.com.gh