Accra: The New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus on Parliament's Roads and Transport Committee on Tuesday expressed concerns about the government's handling of the road sector, citing delays in implementing key projects and lack of transparency in the management of major infrastructure initiatives.
According to Ghana News Agency, addressing a press conference in Parliament House, Accra, Mr. Kennedy Nyarko Osei, Ranking Member of the Committee, criticized the government for failing to operationalize the National Roads Authority (NRA) Act 2024, despite its passage and the previous administration's commitment to implement it.
He stated, "The failure by the Mahama government to implement the NRA Act 2024, given the clear benefits of the reform, raises serious questions about the government's commitment to structural reform in the road sector."
The Minority has also highlighted concerns about the alleged non-payment of road contractors, with approximately 80 percent of contractors working under road fund projects currently not on site due to outstanding claims.
Mr. Nyarko Osei criticized the government's decision to convert the Suame Interchange project from a four-tier to a three-tier interchange, citing a lack of transparency and potential economic inefficiencies.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway project was also scrutinized, with the Minority calling for transparency on the project's cost, compensation, and resettlement plans.
"We urge the government to prioritize clearing arrears, restore confidence among contractors, and accelerate the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms towards road infrastructure development," Mr. Nyarko Osei emphasized.