Contractors working on Bolgatanga-Tumu-Wa road have abandoned the sites due to the delay in the release of funds. The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta owned up to the situation when he appeared in Parliament to answer questions raised on the floor of Parliament.
MP for Sissala East in the Upper West Region, Amidu Chinnia Issahaku filed a question on the floor of Parliament seeking the progress of work on the stated road and what commitments the government had made.
When Mr. Amoako-Atta spoke, he said, “the Wa-Tumu-Bolga road forms an integral part of the N13 which consists of Wa and Tumu in the Upper West Region and Bolga in the Upper East Region. Mr. Speaker, the road traverses 5 districts namely; the Nadowli-Kaleo District, Jirapa Municipality, Lambussie District and Sissala East Municipality and the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region. The road plays an important role in the safe and efficient transportation of goods,. produce and people between these two regions.”
“Currently, the Upper East section of the road from Nakong to Bolga has been completed and in good shape. The upgrading of the Upper West section of the road has been procured in 5 lots as follows; lot one is 10km from Tumu to Han awarded for completion and execution in 24 calendar months. The project commenced on 27th June, 2022 and scheduled for completion on 27th June 2024. Physical progress is at 5.37 percent. The contractor is not on site due to delays in payment.”
“Lot 2 is 20km Tumu-Han-Lawra awarded for execution in 24 calendar months. The project commenced on 27th June, 2022 and scheduled for completion on 27th June, 2024. Physical progress is at 7.7 percent. The contractor is not on site due to delays in payment.”
Lot 3, which was scheduled for completion in 2019 is still incomplete. According to the Roads Minister, “physical construction is at 7.8 percent. The contractor is not on site due to delays in payments.”
For Lot 4, the contractor is yet to mobilise to site. The contractor for the final lot is still yet to mobilise to site after the contract was handed over this year.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
