Roads and Transport Committee Seeks Clarity on Boankra Logistics Terminal’s New Contractual Arrangements

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has urged the Ministry of Transport and its sector minister to update lawmakers on the revised contract for the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal Project (BILT).

Chairman Kennedy Osei Nyarko emphasized the importance of informing Parliament for the sake of record and transparency. His comments followed the committee’s fact-finding mission to Boankra in the Ejisu municipality of the Ashanti Region.

Addressing the media, Mr Osei Nyarko praised the contractor’s progress but advised, “Although this project doesn’t require parliamentary approval due to internal arrangements, the ministry should still inform Parliament. Initially, the contractor couldn’t meet the agreement, and now the ministry is funding the project internally. It would be appropriate for the minister to update the house about this new arrangement.”

The project, owned by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and supported by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Ministry of Transport, is currently funded by the Government of Ghana. It involves developing 160 hectares to handle imports and exports from northern Ghana and Sahelian countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger). Currently, 12.2 kilometres of roads within the terminal are under construction, with hydrological works largely completed.

The committee has requested documentation related to the termination of the former concessionaires, Ashanti Port Services. “We need all correspondence leading to the contract termination to understand the issues,” Mr Osei Nyarko added.

Impressed with the work done, Mr Osei Nyarko urged the Ministry of Transport to meet financial obligations to the contractors. Contractors have not been paid since November 2023. The project, 40 per cent complete, has a contract sum of $308 million, and the committee advocates for prompt payments to ensure completion by September 2026.

Justmoh Construction is executing the contract after Ashanti Port Services failed to meet financial obligations. The Project Director, Dr. John Bernard Koranteng-Yorke, stated that Phase 1, including civil works, roads, drainage systems, container handling facilities, and freight terminals, is on course. He noted significant cost savings in transport and logistics once the project is operational.

The project is expected to be completed by 2026, and efforts are ongoing to ensure timely completion of the first phase and operationalization of the port. The Ministry of Transport is advancing processes to regularize Justmoh Construction’s contract, with approvals from the Public Procurement Agency and the Ministry of Finance.

Justice Amoh, CEO of Justmoh Construction, assured commitment to completing the project on schedule, highlighting the project’s national importance and viability. He also called on parliament members to facilitate the release of funds.

The development of the Eastern and Western rail lines will further enhance the operational efficiency of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project.

Source:newsalertgh.com