Regional Minister terminates contract

Tumu, Sept 6, GNA - Mr. Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister on Monday terminated the 3.6 billion cedis contract for the rehabilitation of the 30-kilometre Lelixi-Tumu road.

The contract awarded to X-WELLS a Koforidua-based road construction firm was terminated for not performing well.

The contractor was also directed to refund monies collected for mobilization towards the project or be prosecuted.

Mr. Dery gave the directive when he inspected road projects along the Wa-Han-Tumu-Bolgatanga road He said the directive was in line with the Government's policy to terminate contracts that had delayed or not well executed and re-award them to more purposeful and serious contractors in the country.

Mr. Billy Abudallah, Upper West Regional Maintenance Manager of Ghana Highways Authority said the contract was awarded to the firm in September last year to construct culverts and re-gravel portions of the road. He said the contractor was given 465 million cedis for mobilization towards the project but he failed to execute the contract therefore, he was asked to refund the money.

"The contractor has refunded 232 million cedis with 133 million cedis remaining," he added.

Mr. Abudallah said bidding would re-open soon to allow more competent contractors to take up the contract.

The Lelixi-Tumu road is a major road linking the Upper West and East Regions but had been abandoned for its deplorable conditions.