Ghanaian road contractors say funds released for payment of debts owed by government is not enough. The Finance Minister announced on Monday the release of GH¢160 million for the payment of debts owed several contractors. But the Road Contractors’ Association says majority of its members would still be reeling under the pressure of delayed payments for work done. The contractors blame their predicament on the Kufuor administration which they say awarded too many contracts it couldn’t pay for. Vice president of the association, Joseph Ebow Hewton, said the shock of the delayed payments has made some of its members sick with others passing on. “This problem is going to be with us for a long time unless government comes in to do something about it,” Mr Hewton said. The Road Fund received GH¢87.5 million last year but the road contractors accuse government of awarding contracts to the tune of GH¢6 trillion. The Road Fund is expected to receive GH¢145.2 million, with GH¢5.2 million to be transferred into the Petroleum-related Fund for the funding of exploration and other petroleum-related activities. Meanwhile the Director of Budget at the Finance Ministry, Simon Kyei, says many of the local contractors would be covered in the latest payment. “If you look at the list of beneficiaries, you will see that the local road contractors…constitute about 80 to 90 per cent. The foreign contractors are very few,” he said. Play attached audio for excerpts of the complaints of the road contractors Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana