The Minister of Roads, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced that all contractors working under the Big Push initiative will undertake construction works around the clock in line with the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Big Push project in Ho, Volta Region, Mr Agbodza explained that the move is aimed at accelerating road construction and ensuring timely delivery.
“Under the Big Push, all the projects are going to be done under a 24-hour economy. Day and night, they have to work,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the contractors selected for the projects had the capacity to deliver within schedule.
“Mr President, we are very convinced that the selection of contractors that will work on this road, from Atimpoku to Aflao, can complete the work within 24 months. Mr President, the section where we are doing the sod cutting belongs to a company called First Sky. Mr President, I can tell you First Sky can do this work in less than 24 months,” he stated.
Mr Agbodza further challenged the contractors to prove that Ghanaian firms can deliver world-class infrastructure, stressing that shoddy work will not be tolerated. He directed all contractors to secure comprehensive insurance for their projects.
“If you do a bad job, we shall ask the insurer to repair the road,” he warned.
The Roads Minister also urged contractors to expand their workforce to speed up delivery while creating jobs for the youth and graduates in engineering and construction-related fields.
“There are a lot of young people who have graduated from universities with degrees in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Management. I want to encourage the contractors to take these graduates and mentor them to become contractors and engineers when you and I are not here,” he added.
Big Push In The Volta Region
The road project under the Big Push Initiative in the Volta Region has been divided into nine lots, stretching 177 kilometres from Atimpoku through Asikuma, Ho, Kpetoe, Ave Afiadenyigba, and Penyi to Aflao. The design also includes a proposed bypass at Aflao along the beach to the border.
The works, being executed by Messrs First Sky Limited and eight other contractors, will include road widening, strengthening of pavements, upgrading to asphaltic surfacing, replacement of weak culverts, and installation of road safety measures.
The Big Push programme, officially launched by President Mahama at Afienya in the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday, September 16, has an allocation of GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) and covers 42 road projects nationwide.
Source: Fred Quame Asare
