…US$10bn infrastructure plan
The minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, has outlined plans to ensure effective implementation of the US$10 billion ‘Big Push’ infrastructure initiative proposed by President John Mahama.
Speaking during his vetting by parliament’s Appointments Committee, Mr. Agbodza revealed that the ambitious four-year programme will focus on critical infrastructure projects across various sectors, with US$2.5billion allocated annually.
The minister-designate emphasised that the initiative will target high-impact projects designed to transform the country’s infrastructure landscape.
“These projects are not limited to roads. They will include big, significant infrastructure interventions that meet strict value-for-money criteria,” he said.
Additionally, Mr. Agbodza assured the committee that measures are being put in place to address long-standing concerns about the durability of roads and other infrastructure. He acknowledged that poor materials, inadequate supervision and delays in contractor payments have contributed to the rapid deterioration of roads, often within a year of completion.
“We need to address these issues holistically. From selecting the right materials to ensuring proper supervision and timely payments, every aspect must be scrutinised to guarantee quality and sustainability,” he stated.
He pointed out that the country’s reliance on imported bitumen without proper testing for climate suitability is a significant challenge.
The minister-designate also highlighted a looming skills gap in the sector, with many experienced engineers nearing retirement and insufficient recruitment of new professionals. He called for a dual approach of recruiting fresh talent and upgrading the skills of existing staff through in-house training programmes at institutions.
“It is critical to build the capacity of those already in the service while bringing in new engineers to ensure we have the manpower to oversee the nearly 4,000 road projects underway across the country,” he explained.
Addressing financial implications of the US$10 billion initiative, Mr. Agbodza stressed the need for meticulous project selection and financial management to avoid the pitfalls of debt accumulation.
He lamented instances when contractors abandoned sites due to delayed payment, leading to increased project costs and interest payments.
“We cannot continue spending billions on projects and paying even more in interest due to inefficiencies. This approach is neither acceptable nor sustainable,” he cautioned.
In response to concerns about abandoned projects, Mr. Agbodza reaffirmed government’s commitment to completing ongoing projects before embarking on new ones.
“Our priority in the first year will be to focus on critical projects that have been left incomplete to ensure they are used for their intended purpose,” he said.
SOURCE: thebftonline.com
