Eastern Corridor Road Back on Track as Contractor Resumes After 3-Year Abandonment Over Unpaid Debt

Chinese construction firm, China Jiangxi Corporation, has returned to the site to resume work on the 50.3-kilometre Nkwanta Oti-Damanko stretch of the Eastern Corridor road, following a three-year break due to unpaid certificates. The contractor is reportedly owed over GHS200 million since the contract was awarded in 2011 to improve the transportation of farm produce from northern Ghana to the south.

Prior to the abandonment, the contractor had completed 70 percent of work on the project. Following a week-long engagement with China Jiangxi, Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has assured that government is committed to settling the outstanding debt to enable completion of the project.

“We will start engaging the Finance Minister as soon as we get to Accra to make sure, we may not be able to raise the 200 million Cedis for tomorrow, but as much as we can raise we will make sure we raise something for them as quickly as possible to continue the work,” Mr. Agbodza, who is also the MP for Adaklu, told journalists.

He also stressed the commitment of President Mahama to completing the road, which was initiated during his tenure.

“President Mahama is committed to completing this project. He met a number of communities along this corridor in his campaign. Indeed this project is the brainchild of his government, in 2011 so he knows the value of this project which is why he is committed to making sure we complete it.”

“I will rely on the commitment of the contractors that if everything goes well, within 14 months, at least the section within which they are working should be completed.”

Source: newsalert.com