Govt clears ?2.6 trillion arrears to road constructors

THE Government has paid an amount of ?2.6 trillion as arrears to road contractors in the country.

The amount represents arrears owed to road contractors over the last four years.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh I.C. Quaye, made this known when he addressed the Greater Accra Regional People’s Assembly in Accra yesterday.

The forum attracted a cross-section of the public, including traditional rulers, and ministers of state.

The suspension of payment to contractors brought hardship to the contractors and their employees, who made several appeals to the government to effect payment to save them from further economic difficulties.

Sheikh Quaye said with the payment of the arrears, the ban on the award of contracts will soon be lifted.

He said stringent measures have been put in place to ensure that contracts awarded are efficiently executed.

He warned that government will no longer pay contractors who undertake shoddy work, adding that “we want to instil discipline and efficiency in the administration of contracts and other government projects.”

Sheikh Quaye said with the support of the World Bank, a six-lane road from Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Neoplan Junction, Achimota, will start next July.

He said the asphaltic road will include three foot bridges, one overpass, a transport terminal at Achimota and 16 bus stops.

He gave the assurance that the Tema-Aflao, Tetteh-Quarshie Roundabout-Adukrom, Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Anyinam and Mallam to Circle road network will begin in earnest.

On allegations of corruption in the distribution of market stalls in the city, Sheikh Quaye said a proposal has been prepared with traders on how to ensure sanity in the markets.

The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Mr Isaac Amoo, answering a question on mass transport, said government has approved a loan of $56 million for the purchase of buses to improve the transport sector.

He pledged government’s determination to restore the Accra -Tema and Accra-Dome railway lines.