Road Contractors Expose Gov’t Over GHC 2.3 billion outstanding debt  

The Association of Road Contractors Ghana (ASROC) has exposed the Akufo Addo administration over claims that it had settled all debts owed road contractors in the country and thereby massive road projects would soon commence.
 
The angry contractors issued a statement on January 22, 2020, to reveal that out of more than GHC 3.8 billion total debt owed them, the government has only settled about 40% or a total of approximately GHC 1.52 billion.
 
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Attah was recently quoted as saying the Akufo Addo government do not owe contractors anymore as all debts have been settled.
 
However, setting the records straight, ASROC, National Executive Council (NEC) said that was a palpable lie.
 
“NEC considers the statement most unfortunate as the facts on the ground do not support the Honourable Minister’s assertion on the matter,” the statement charged.
 
 They went ahead to outline their version of the story saying,  “As at October 2019, Contractors were owed approximately GHC 2.6 billion by the Ghana Road Fund and GHC 1.2 billion on the Government of Ghana projects not to mention the indebtedness of Government at the COCOBOD.”
 
Apparently, the Akufo Addo administration had notified the angry contractors that it was going to compose a consortium of banks led by Fidelity Bank to settle the debts that have been outstanding for many years. However, when the payment was made, only 40% of the total was made.
 
“ASROC finds it intriguing how payment of 40% of indebtedness can be construed to mean full payment,” stated the mystified contractors.
 
They have therefore issued a stern warning, saying the road fund management should immediately release the facts around the outstanding debt, “ASROC hereby demands that the Road Fund Management Board should without any further delay come out with the facts and correct the unfortunate impression created by the Minister’s statement,” the statement read.
 
 
The Akufo Addo administration has been criticised for unnecessarily starving road contractors of funds, a situation that has robbed off as the worst administration in terms of road construction.
 
Last year, youth from several towns across the country mounted serious protests against poor roads. They threatened to either vote out the government because of its poor road record or simply avoid voting in the December 2020 elections.