President John Dramani Mahama has assured of massive and continuous road constructions across the country, under his government’s much touted Big Push programme, for a period of three (3) years.
All 16 regions, are expected to benefit equitably from the projects from the GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) earmarked for the first phase of the programme.
He said, very soon, the entire country will look like a construction site where contractors will be everywhere, executing their contracts.
The President, who said this at the launch of the Big Push and sod-cutting ceremony for three major road projects including the Dodowa-Afienya-Dowenya, said no contractor has more than enough to work on.
He said contracts have been broken into pieces so that the contractors can work quickly and join their portions to the other.
“This is because we haven’t given any contractor too long a stretch that will take them too much time. We’ve broken it up into pieces so that every contractor can work quickly and then they join their portions together. From the launch of this Big Push here the whole of Ghana is going to become a construction site”, the President said yesterday Tuesday September 16.
According to the President, government has also allocated GHS5 million per year from the Ghana Road Fund to maintain these roads to keep them in shape.
“We are also going to maintain them and so every year the Ghana Road Fund will use proceeds to do this…..Pot hole patching, desilting, grass cutting and all the things that keep the roads in good shape. Roads are very important to any economic transformation. If you go into history America became America because of the road and rail networks”, he added.
For a country that has a poor maintenance culture of it assets, this has come as a welcome news with many applauding government and encouraging them to do as stated.
In all, 42 road projects are expected to see major development aimed at enhancing commerce and movements across the country.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza directed contractors under the programme to secure insurance cover for their projects so that in the event there are shoddy works, it will be used to fund repairs.
The Minister expressed optimism saying that local contractors are capable of executing all the works under the Big Push initiative.
“We at the Ministry have been guided to always prioritize the dignity and well-being of Ghanaians. This road, and the entire ‘Big Push’ programme, is a testament to that very principle. We are optimistic that this project will be completed within the 24-month timeframe,” he said.
Contractors for the Big Push are all locals.
By Gifty Boateng