Minority in Parliament Clarifies Budget for Accra-Tema Motorway Expansion Project

Isaac Mintah Isaac Mintah
Aug 27, 2024 - 13:42
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Minority in Parliament Clarifies Budget for Accra-Tema Motorway Expansion Project

The Minority in Parliament has clarified that the budget approved for the Accra-Tema Motorway expansion project is $339 million, not $660 million as recently reported.

This clarification follows President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's sod-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 26, where he announced plans to transform the motorway into a modern 10-lane highway.

In a statement released on Tuesday, August 27, Governs Agbodza, the Minority’s spokesperson on infrastructure, expressed concerns over the project’s financial transparency and the potential for future spending without parliamentary approval. Agbodza emphasized that Parliament had only approved $339 million for the multi-year funding of the project and that any additional spending requires further parliamentary authorization.

"The NDC is not against improving the Accra-Tema Motorway. Indeed, we support the principles behind the project and demonstrated same in the past. But will not shirk our responsibility to ensure value for money and accountability," Agbodza stated.

He further criticized the government for its handling of the project's funding and related issues. Agbodza questioned the sustainability of the project’s funding, noting that the source of funds, which the NPP claims comes from the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), has been mismanaged in the past. He pointed to failed investments like the SKYTRAIN and PULLMAN HOTEL projects and expressed doubts about the GIIF's current viability.

Additionally, Agbodza raised concerns about the cancellation of the contract between the Road Ministry and Morta Engils, as well as the $2.5 million paid towards that contract. He also highlighted the government's outstanding debt to road contractors, estimated at about GH¢15 billion, and criticized the timing of the sod-cutting event, suggesting it was a propaganda move ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Accra-Tema Motorway expansion project, which spans 27.7 kilometers, is set to proceed in three phases: the rehabilitation of the motorway, upgrading of the George Walker Bush Highway, and improvements to the Nsawam Road. The aim is to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety, making the motorway fully accessible and more efficient.

Below is Agbodza’s full statement:

ACCRA-TEMA MOTORWAY PROJECT - PARLIAMENT DID NOT APPROVE $660M

  1. The NDC is not against improving the Accra-Tema Motorway. Indeed, we support the principles behind the project and demonstrated same in the past. But will not shirk our responsibility to ensure value for money and accountability.

  2. Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament.

  3. The source of funding for the project is NOT SUSTAINABLE. The NPP is claiming the source of funds for the project is Mahama’s Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The NPP said the same thing about how they were going to fund the so-called Agenda 111, housing projects etc. We all know the status of Agenda 111, etc today. The NPP has collapsed the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Unlike the past when GIIF backed projects that are self-financing and sustainable, such as Kotoka Airport Terminal 3 etc, the NPP incompetently invested the funds in unproductive ventures like SKYTRAIN, PULLMAN HOTEL etc.

  4. In any case, why is NPP not explaining why they cancelled the contract between the Road Ministry and Morta Engils and why they paid $2.5 million towards that unwholesome contract?

  5. The government currently OWES ROAD CONTRACTORS ABOUT GH¢15 BILLION for works completed and certified and NOT PAID FOR.

Currently, the government cannot even fund the payment of salaries, pay Statutory Funds to District Assemblies, NHIA, GETFund, etc. What is the point of cutting sod for a $339 million project 3 months before you are booted out of office? IT IS PROPAGANDA FOR VOTES. Ghanaians will not fall for this. NPP, NOT AGAIN.