All road contract issues won’t enter 2020, we’ll address them this year – Gov’t

The Government of Ghana will ensure that all issues relating to roads in the country including payment of contractors are addressed before the country enters 2020, an election year, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said.

Speaking to Accra-based Joy FM Monday 7th October, 2019, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta said: “We have been here for some thirty two odd months and the budget deficit clearly indicates what the capacity restrain on our expenditures is.

“The roads issues we are going to solve it this year which means that tension will be gone for next year and then we just have to manage.

“There is a certain firmness at the Ministry of Finance that will go through 2020 to make sure that all of the gains that we have had in these three years will not be eroded.

“So far so good there is pressure on our revenues, we are working on it, we have three new commissioners at the GRA, Prof Stephen Adei has been made the chair and I think we expect great things from that.

“We intend to increase revenues and certainly hold down our expenditure so that nothing untoward happens. We are excited about the future and the 2020.

“We met many problems since we came and we have been able to tackle them.”

Recently, the vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, revealed that the Government will be paying about 80 per cent of road contractors in the country by November 2019.

He said the remaining 20% of the contractors will initially receive 40% of their amount to start with.

The second gentleman of the land said this when speaking at the 43rd celebration of Kobine festival at Lawra in the Upper West region.

“By November, 80% of all road contractors, the government owes will receive full payment for their certificates. The remaining 20% who turn to be the very big contractors will initially receive 40% of their amount to start with,” he told the gathering.

He stressed that: “it is going to be a game-changer for our roads in Ghana.”

He also assured the Paramount Chief of Lawra, Naa Puowelle Karbo III, that he was concerned about the Dikpe Bridge and that it will be taken care of.

Dr Bawumia said that the project will include the construction of a 275-metre span bridge, a rest stop, a toll booth and a plaza.

“So, Naa Puowelle Karbo III, your request for the Dikpe bridge has been granted by God Almighty and by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo,” he added.