The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to delivering the first phase of the Big Push road programme on schedule, insisting that no changes will be made to approved project scopes despite growing demands from communities.
Addressing chiefs, contractors, engineers and residents during the final day of his two-day inspection tour of the Volta and Oti Regions, the Minister said government remains focused on completing the projects as designed to avoid cost overruns and delays.
Mr. Agbodza explained that while many communities have requested additional works such as road dualisation and extensions into adjoining towns, government cannot accommodate such variations under the current contracts.
“We have to stick to the original scope and complete it. We don’t want to go above budget, and we don’t want to change the scope. Any community linked to the road can come under a different programme, but don’t force us to vary the current programme.”
He stressed that the entire Big Push initiative is being financed solely by the Government of Ghana and therefore requires strict financial discipline.
According to the Minister, despite inherited economic challenges and significant debt obligations, the Mahama administration has continued to honour commitments to contractors while pursuing new infrastructure projects.
He disclosed that government is paying contractors for inherited road projects while simultaneously financing the Big Push programme, unlike previous administrations which suspended several road contracts.
“This government under President Mahama is making sure those days of reckless administration do not happen. We are continuing inherited projects, paying for them, and at the same time implementing our own Big Push agenda.”
The Minister singled out the contractor handling the Kpetoe–Aflao road project for exceptional performance, revealing that the project had achieved about 75 percent completion—the highest progress recorded among all Phase One Big Push projects.
He praised the contractor for its commitment to completing the works ahead of schedule and encouraged the company to maintain quality while accelerating construction.
“Seventy-five percent is the highest percentage of any road project under President Mahama’s Phase One Big Push. That deserves commendation.”
Mr. Agbodza said he was optimistic that the contractor could complete the section by the end of the year if current progress is maintained.
The Roads Minister appealed to residents to support contractors by safeguarding construction materials and equipment, warning that theft and unauthorized relocation of materials increase project costs and slow progress.
He urged communities to cooperate fully with contractors and exercise patience with local employment arrangements to ensure timely completion of the projects.
Mr. Agbodza also challenged engineers and supervising consultants to maintain strict quality control, insisting that poor supervision would not be tolerated.
Referring to recent flooding that affected sections of infrastructure, he said the incident provides an opportunity to ensure new bridges and roads are designed to withstand increasingly severe weather events.
He admitted that he regularly criticises engineers under his supervision because government cannot afford roads that deteriorate shortly after completion.
“We are also not happy when a road is washed away after it has been supervised. We all have to do better.”
The Minister commended the regional engineering team for their dedication but maintained that continuous improvement remains essential to delivering durable infrastructure.
Mr. Agbodza reiterated government’s ambition to complete the Eastern Corridor sections under construction so motorists can travel from Aflao to Ho on uninterrupted asphalt by the end of 2027.
He added that government is also implementing the Ghana Market Access Project with support from development partners to improve feeder roads in selected districts, although not every district will benefit under the current phase.
The Roads Minister concluded his inspection tour by thanking chiefs, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, contractors and residents for their cooperation, saying their support has been critical to the progress recorded so far.
The Volta Region component of the Big Push programme comprises several major rehabilitation and reconstruction projects, including the Ho–Kpetoe, Kpetoe–Aveafiadenyigba, Afiadenyigba–Penyi, Penyi–Aflao, Have–Hohoe and Atimpoku–Asikuma Junction roads, among others.
Source:myxyzonline/Belinda Anim Piesie
