Road contractors, Muslim group confer with President Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills has repeated Governments decision to use local resources and expertise for the development of national infrastructure.

He said Government would involve local road contracting associations in the classification of projects and gave an assurance that local road contractors would be protected against undue foreign domination and would be involved in the classification of projects.

The President made the promise when a delegation from the Association of Road Contractors paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra on Tuesday, during which the delegation extended their felicitations to the President.

President Atta Mills reassured the contractors that it would give priority attention and empower Ghanaians to be at the forefront on the road construction business, and expressed confidence in their qualification to manage the nation's resources to its best advantage in the road sector.

The President commended the contractors on their role in opening up the country for development.

He however, expressed worry about undue delays in the payment of executed contracts without interests, and attributed the situation to conflict of interest and in some cases, non-compliance of contract regulations.

President Atta Mills reiterated government's determination to make Ghanaians own their own businesses and put the resources to the best use, so that Ghana would ultimately be the winner.

Mr Michael Aidoo, leader of the delegation and Managing Director of Big Aidoo Construction, expressed confidence in the political stability of the nation and the peaceful transfer of political power and appealed for frequent interactions between government and the contractors.

He announced that the association was proposing a committee to address problems in the road construction sector to get value for money.

Another group that called on the President was the Coalition of Muslims Organisation (COMOG).

Led by Major Alhaji Mohamed Easah (Rtd), the COMOG called on Government to address what he called the polarization of the Ghanaian society, indiscipline, corruption, armed robbery, drug trafficking and the Hajj operations.

President Atta Mills repeated his pledge to be President for all Ghanaians and said he was not going to encourage the polarisation of the nation.

He said, in as much he would not pursue a vendetta, he would be committed to the rule of law and would not bend the rules against anybody.