The Communication Bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region led by Abdallah Jonathan Salifu has extended an urgent call to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo through what they dubbed: ‘ UPPER EAST MUST KNOW SERIES’ to as a matter of urgency honour all its financial obligations to the Brazilian contractor Queiroz Galvao S/A to return to the site.
“We hold the view that if the necessary payments are advanced to the contractors, works on the project will be completed as scheduled considering their track record in executing such capital-intensive projects. There must not be further delays to this project since it had already suffered enough delays”. The statement says 
Kindly read the full statement below:
UPPER EAST MUST KNOW SERIES PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE REGIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER OF NDC, COMRADE ABDALLAH JONATHAN SALIFU, ON ABADONMENT OF THE BOLGATANGA-BAWKU-PULIMAKOM ROAD PROJECT.
Tuesday, 21 February, 2023.
Good morning our distinguished friends from the media.
We welcome you on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Upper East Region, to this press conference which is intended to address issues on the abandoned Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road project under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, which has largely been occasioned by the non-release of funds to the contractor to complete the project as scheduled. This is a clear case of neglect of the people of upper east region by this government.
Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to state without equivocation that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-NPP government has shown itself to be insensitive and does not appear to care about the plight of the people of this region. Otherwise, what can be the justification for the total neglect in terms of development in the region in all sectors. To the extent that no much commitment has been made for the region by this government in the 2023 budget statement is the height of neglect and gross disrespect to the people of the region.
PROJECT HISTORY
Friends, the 102.55km Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road project was awarded on 26th August, 2016 at a sum of Ghs612.744 million by the erstwhile H.E John Darmani Mahama’s government to Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A. Works on the project commenced on the 7th December, 2016 for completion on 4th June 2019, a period of 30 months. The contractor was paid advance mobilization of 20% of the original contract sum which amounts GHs91.91 million, and after that seven (7) other payments were made totaling GHs40.6 million. The total work certified is in the sum of GHs122.51 million. (source: Report of the Committee on Roads and Transport on Contract Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A)
As you may be aware, the road starts from Bolgatanga as a dual carriageway for 2km and continues as a single carriageway through Zebilla, Bawku, and ends at Polimakom in the Pusiga district. Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A works on a major part of the project. Messrs Mawums Ltd constructed a total of 12.50km of the project, from Zuarungu to the Red Volta. Three new bridges are to be provided over the Kulaa, Red Volta, and White Volta by QGMI. Also, a 14.5km by-pass is also to be provided in the outskirts of Bawku township from Bawk-Sapelig to Missiga out of which only 6km of that portion has been tarred. (source: Project report by QGMI)
On 7th November, 2017, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-NPP government due to non-payment of certificates raised by the contractor resulted in the suspension of the project. This led to the accumulation of considerable interest on the delayed payments, and slowed down work on the project during the construction period.
RENEGOTIATED AGREEMENT BY THE AKUFO-ADDO GOVERNMENT
Ladies and gentlemen, on Tuesday, 24th March, 2020, a renegotiated agreement between the Akufo-Addo led government and Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A for an amount of One Hundred and Thirty-Five million Euros (€135, 000,000.00) for the construction of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road was presented to parliament and was approved on the 27th March, 2020. The total project cost as approved in the 2020 budget (appendix 10) was to be financed by HSBC Bank Plc, and Kfw IPEX-Bank GmbH.
The project under the new agreement was scheduled to be completed within a period of seventeen (17) months from the commencement date.
RECENT SUSPENSION OF THE PROJECT
In recent weeks as witnessed by you all, the construction firm, QGMI a subsidiary of Constructutora Queiroz Galvao S/A working on the major parts of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road project has moved all its heavy equipment and machines out of the region.
Friends from the media, our sources tell us that this recent suspension of the project is due to the Domestic Debt Structuring Programme (DDEP) imposed on Ghanaians by this wicked government as part of the IMF’s conditionalities. This was alluded to by president Akufo-Addo at a meeting with Western Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House on Monday, 30th January, 2023 as cited in a City Newsroom report on 31 January, 2023.
This government due to its reckless borrowing, careless expenditure, and insatiable penchant for corruption has led us all to this mess of economic quagmire. The people of upper east region cannot certainly be the sacrificial lamp for this ineptitude and incompetence.
We believe that if president Akufo-Addo cuts down the needless expenditure through reduction of the size of his government, suspension of the needless National Cathedral project, and eschew the unbridled profligacy, it will make enough savings to complete essential projects such as the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road, the Navrongo-Naaga road, the Chuchuliga-Sandema-Fumbisi-Wiesi road, Missiga-Kulungungu road project among others.
Again, our sources within the construction firm indicate that about four hundred (400) workers on the project have been laid off. This gives credence to the fact that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led government have failed to honour its financial obligation to the contractors hence the reason they have abandoned site.
It is sad to note that none of the three bridges included in the project design for reconstruction has being completed. Kulaa River at Bolgatanga, 30% completed, the Red Volta River at Tilli, 80% completed, and the White Volta River at Kobore, yet to start.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is sad to note that similar road projects have been abandoned in the region. In the western zone of the region mention can be made of the Navrongo-Naaga road project, and the Chuchuliga-Sandema-Fumbisi-Wiesi road project. In the eastern zone, Missiga-Kulungungu road project, and the completion of a major portion of the Missiga-Pusiga-Polimakom stretch of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road project. All these have come about as a result of government’s unwillingness to commit funds to complete the projects.
The reality is that we have been neglected as a region. In fact, the President in 2020 could only commission a street lighting and traffic lights projects in the regional capital, Bolgatanga. There is nothing worth pointing to in the region in terms of development for the six (6) years of this wicked, corrupt, inept, and nepotistic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.
CONCLUSION
Friends, we in the NDC as a matter of urgency call on the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to honour all its financial obligations to the contractors to return to site. We hold the view that if the necessary payments are advanced to the contractors, works on the project will be completed as scheduled considering their track record in executing such capital-intensive projects. There must not be further delays to this project since it had already suffered enough delays.
Again, we wish to remind H.E Akufo-Addo of his pledge to the chiefs and people of the region to complete the project as scheduled during his visits to same. We know this government cannot be trusted in redeeming promises; however, we do not expect them to renege on this one.
We admonish you the media, GPRTU, transport owners, drivers, and all in the region to join in the call for the continuation and completion of the project as scheduled. We too are tax payers, and deserve nothing less. The project must not stall.
Ladies and gentlemen, government must not abandon the project at this time considering the enormous benefits it will bring the region and country. The project will among others benefits lower vehicular operating costs, lead to reduction in pedestrian and vehicular congestion and consequently cost of transportation for both passenger and cargo. It will enhance economic activities, improve public transport and standard of living of citizenry, be a catalyst for economic growth, create jobs for the skilled and non-skilled labour in the area, reduce loss of productive man-hours, and improve commuter and pedestrian safety along the project corridor.
Thank you for your attention.
Signed,
ABDALLAH JONATHAN SALIFU
REGIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER, UPPER EAST
Source : Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
