The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has sharply criticized the Oti Regional Minister and Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in the region for failing to promptly report road contractors who have abandoned or delayed government-funded projects.
The Minister expressed his disappointment during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects across the Oti Region, where he assessed the progress of key infrastructure works and engaged with regional and district authorities on challenges affecting project delivery.
According to Mr. Agbodza, the delayed reporting of underperforming contractors has contributed to prolonged project delays, depriving communities of critical road infrastructure and increasing the cost of completing projects.
He stressed that regional and district authorities have a responsibility to closely monitor contractors working within their jurisdictions and immediately alert the Ministry whenever projects stall or contractors fail to meet agreed timelines.
“You should not wait until projects have been abandoned before informing the Ministry. Early reporting allows us to take the necessary action,” the Minister emphasized.
Mr. Agbodza warned that the Ministry would no longer tolerate poor performance by contractors, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring value for money and the timely delivery of road infrastructure.
He noted that contractors who fail to honor their contractual obligations risk sanctions, including the termination of contracts and other legal measures where necessary. The Minister has previously cautioned that contractors who abandon projects should not expect automatic contract extensions and has introduced stricter monitoring measures to improve accountability.
The inspection formed part of the Ministry’s nationwide assessment of road projects aimed at identifying implementation challenges, improving supervision and accelerating the completion of critical road networks across the country.
Mr. Agbodza also urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to play a more active role in monitoring projects, maintaining regular communication with contractors and ensuring that communities benefit from quality road infrastructure delivered on schedule.
Residents in several parts of the Oti Region have long expressed concerns over abandoned and delayed road projects, with many calling for faster government intervention to improve transportation, facilitate trade and enhance access to essential services.
The Minister assured the public that the government remains committed to completing strategic road projects nationwide and will continue holding both contractors and supervising authorities accountable for delays.
