Parliament has approved a $500 million credit facility to finance the rehabilitation of feeder roads, road maintenance and the improvement of all-season farm-to-market connectivity in selected districts across the country.
The approval was granted on Tuesday, July 21, with the facility expected to improve road infrastructure in rural communities and ease the transportation of agricultural produce from farming areas to major markets.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after the approval, Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, assured lawmakers that the government would institute strict monitoring and supervision measures to ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose.
He cautioned contractors against viewing the project merely as a business opportunity, insisting that only companies prepared to deliver quality and durable roads should participate in the programme.
“If you are a contractor and you see this as just business, please don’t turn up because you will not have it easy,” Mr. Agbodza warned.
The Roads Minister said contractors would be closely supervised to ensure that projects are executed according to the required specifications and built to last for their intended lifespan.
He stressed that public funds used for road construction must result in durable infrastructure, saying the government would not accept a situation where roads deteriorate shortly after completion.
Mr. Agbodza described Parliament’s approval of the facility as a significant development, expressing the hope that the bulk of the funds would be applied directly to the purpose for which the loan was secured.
He said the government must be able to account for every resource committed to the roads sector, particularly as a significant portion of public capital expenditure is invested in road infrastructure.
The $500 million facility is expected to strengthen rural connectivity, support agricultural activities and reduce transportation difficulties between farming communities and markets across selected districts in Ghana.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe