Kofi Job Construction abandons Work on the Kenyasi-Hwediem Road after receiving GHC95.4 million payment

Acting President of Kenyase No.2 Traditional Council, Nana Owusu Boadu Ayeboafo, has requested the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) to compel the contractor working on the Kenyase-Hwidiem Road in the Ahafo Region to urgently return to site and ensure the completion of the project. The contractor – Kofi Job Construction Limited, was paid a total of GHC95.4 million to complete an 8.20-kilometre road, however, he has abandoned the project halfway.

During a recent media interaction with some members of the Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA) at the Kenyase No.2 Palace on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, Nana Owusu Boadu Ayeboafo stated that Kofi Job Construction – a Kumasi based contractor, was awarded the contract for the 8.20 Kilometre Kenyase-Hwidiem Road in 2022.

He said the contractor mobilized and started work on the stretch to the delight of all. However, work came to a complete stall just after some few miles of work. Nana Owusu Boadu Ayeboafo found out that Kofi Job Construction Limited stopped working because of high inflation towards the end of 2022.

According to him the initial contract sum of GHC70.3 million has appreciated to GHC 95.4 million due to price input escalation beyond the limits of normal prices adjustment as contained in the contract. He further indicated that his checks with the funding agency revealed that the total project cost with the variation due to inflation has been paid to Kofi Job Constructions Limited without recourse to inspection and completion of work certificate.

The Chief criticized the Ghana Highways Authority for allowing full payment to the contractor without completing the work. He warned the authority not to make the same mistake on any other project in the country.

“We have never heard this before, that Ghana Highways Authority knows that the contractor has not completed the project, but you help raise certificates for Newmont to pay. We are advising them that they should not allow this to happen again because we have never heard this anywhere before,” he lamented.

The Chief who doubles as the Akwamuhene of the Kenyasi No.2 Traditional Council also opined that Newmont Ghana as a funding agency must also ensure due diligence and thorough inspections of projects before effecting payments in their subsequent endeavours. Nana Owusu Boadu Ayeboafo also said the Chiefs and people of the two communities are waiting on the Regional Minister who assured them of mediating in the matter to bring back the contractor to site and urged the Regional Council to expedite action on the issue as the youth of these communities are getting infuriated by the day over the conduct of the contractor.

A youth leader of Kenayse No.1, Abdul Karim Yeboah, explained that the youth of the community are very enraged with the Kofi Job Construction Limited after it came to light that Newmont had paid the initial project cost with an additional cost summing up to GHC95.4 million but the contractor completely abandoned work and left site unannounced. He said the Kenyase-Hwediem road is key to the socio-economic development of the area and that the youth will stop at nothing to make sure the contractor gets back and completes the road.

He further indicated that the dust from the uncompleted road has over the period caused respiratory infections and visibility concerns that lead to the death of two persons some few months past.

“The nature of the road is affecting us because Kenyase has a very big market and on Thursdays people from neighbouring communities come to trade, but sometimes when it rains, the muddy nature of the road deter other business people from coming to our markets” he noted.

He served notice of a massive demonstration against government and the construction company in the coming days if action is not taken by relevant stakeholders to get the road fixed for the people of the area. Abdul Karim said that despite the Regional Minister’s promise to bring back the contractor, the Ahafo Kenyase Development Association and other groups are preparing for a big protest to get everyone’s attention on the matter.

Some shop owners in the Hwidiem Community have lamented the negative impact of the road on their businesses. They explained that some businesses operating along the Kenyase-Hwedeim road have closed down due to the dusty nature of the road and its effect on the health of these individuals.

Some taxi drivers at the main Hwidiem Taxi Rank expressed worry over the delay in the completion of the road. They pleaded with the government to engage with the contractor, and settle all outstanding issues amicably for the completion of the road.

By Derick Botsyoe || Ghamamewsonline.com.gh