Roads Minister directs contractors to submit work schedules or risk payment deductions

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has cautioned road contractors that failure to submit detailed technical work schedules and meet agreed project timelines could result in deductions from their contract payments.

He said contractors are expected to provide comprehensive work programmes outlining the various phases of project execution, implementation timelines and key performance targets, stressing that government will only honour payments for works that have been completed and certified by the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana.

Mr Agbodza issued the warning on Wednesday, July 8, while inspecting ongoing road projects at Atimpoku as part of his nationwide assessment tour covering the Eastern, Volta and Oti regions.

According to the Minister, the directive is intended to improve accountability, ensure contractors adhere to approved work plans and guarantee value for public funds by linking payments strictly to verified progress on projects.

“If we keep coming to your site and you are lagging because of presentation, we can actually deduct some money from you because it means that we have given you money to do something and you didn't do it,” he said.

Mr Agbodza explained that contractors whose performance falls below expectations would face financial deductions, while those who improve project execution and comply with the required standards would have their work assessed accordingly.

“So those whose presentation has been less than expected, and if sometime you can show that you are doing the presentation well, we will deduct it from your money,” he added.

The Minister's nationwide inspection tour forms part of the government's efforts to monitor the progress of road infrastructure projects, strengthen project supervision and ensure the timely delivery of quality road networks across the country.