Agbodza Targets ‘Inflated Compensation Cartel’; EOCO Probe Looms for Two Surveyors

Minister for Roads and Highways Governs Kwame Agbodza says government is considering dragging two quantity surveyors before the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged attempts to inflate compensation claims for properties affected by road projects.

He revealed that some surveyors have been coaching project‑affected persons to reject government valuations, promising to secure payouts four to six times higher than figures assessed by authorised state agencies.

According to the Minister, the practice has drained public funds and caused needless delays in critical road projects.

“We are looking at the possibility of reporting two of those people to EOCO for investigation,” he said. “Anytime we do valuation, you tell people don’t accept it, we’ll get you four times, and then you delay the project — very soon EOCO will be at your door.”

Mr. Agbodza made the remarks during an inspection of asphalt works on the two‑kilometre Feyiase–Sewua access road leading to the Sewua Regional Hospital in the Ashanti Region. The project is being executed by Kofi Job Construction Limited.

He urged affected residents to rely on valuations conducted by authorised government agencies rather than engage external surveyors who swoop in after official assessments to persuade property owners to reject the figures.

“Some people approach those affected and tell them not to accept the values being given. They claim they can get you four, five, six times what government is offering,” he said.

The Minister added that such individuals sometimes encourage affected persons to seek court injunctions, further stalling progress.

“As a result, we have lost so much money, and projects are delayed needlessly because of the behaviour of some of these people,” he noted.

Mr. Agbodza questioned how independent surveyors could arrive at valuations far higher than those produced by professionals from the Ghana Highway Authority, Urban Roads and other agencies.

“The people who value these properties are the same surveyors; they went to the same school. How come when they finish their evaluation, somebody comes and tells project‑affected people, ‘I can get you four times that amount’?” he asked.

He stressed that government will continue to pay compensation in accordance with the law and thanked residents who cooperated during compensation processes for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway and other projects.

The Minister added that the problem is not unique to the Ashanti Region, noting similar incidents in Accra and other parts of the country.