The Accra-Tema Motorway extension project received approval for $339 million in total, not $660 million, as the Minority in Parliament has stated. On Monday, August 26, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod to mark the beginning of the project to convert the motorway into a contemporary 10-lane highway.
The infrastructure spokesman for the Minority, Governs Agbodza, stated that although other notorious projects like the government’s Agenda 111 and other housing projects have stopped, the expansion construction on the decades-old freeway is going to begin on an opaque note.
By improving safety and reducing traffic, the expansion will make the road more effective and completely accessible. Three phases will be used to complete the 27.7-kilometer project. The George Walker Bush Highway is upgraded in phase two, the Nsawam Road is improved in phase three, and the motorway itself is rehabilitated in the first phase.
Below is Agbodza’s full statement.
ACCRA-TEMA MOTORWAY PROJECT-PARLIAMENT DID NOT APPROVE $660m
1. The NDC is not against improving the Accra-Tema Motorway. Indeed, we support the principles behind the project and demonstrated same in the past. But will not shirk our responsibility to ensure value for money and accountability.
2. Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament.
3. The source of funding for the project is NOT SUSTAINABLE. The NPP is claiming the source of funds for the project is Mahama’s Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The NPP said the same thing about how they were going to fund the so-called Agenda 111, housing projects etc. We all know the status of Agenda 111, etc today. The NPP has collapsed the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Unlike the past when GIIF backed projects that are self-financing and sustainable, such as Kotoka Airport Terminal 3 etc, the NPP incompetently invested the funds in unproductive ventures like SKYTRIAIN, PULLMAN HOTEL etc.
4. In any case, why is NPP not explaining why they cancelled the contract between the Road Ministry and Morta Engils and why they paid $2.5 million towards that unwholesome contract?
5. The government currently OWES ROAD CONTRACTORS ABOUT GH¢15BILLION for works completed and certified and NOT PAID FOR.
Currently, the government cannot even fund the payment of salaries, pay Statutory Funds to District Assemblies, NHIA, GETFund, etc. What is the point of cutting sod for $338 million project 3 months before you are booted out of office? IT IS PROPAGANDA FOR VOTES. Ghanaians will not fall for this. NPP, NOT AGAIN.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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