The Minister of Roads, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has indicated that all road contractors working under the Big Push initiative will undertake construction work all day.

This, he said, was to reflect the implementation of the government’s much-talked-about 24-hour policy, which has been identified as a game changer for physical and economic development.

Mr Agbodza said this at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Big Push project in Ho in the Volta Region.

“Under the Big Push, all the projects are going to be done under 24-economy. Day and night, they have to work”, he directed.

He expressed optimism that with the type of scheduling and calibre of contractors, the earmarked road network would be ready within the scheduled time.

“Mr President, we are very convinced that the selection of contractors that will work on this road, from Atimpoku to Aflao, can work and complete the work within 24 months.

“Mr President, the section where we are doing the sod cutting belongs to a company called First Sky. Mr. President, I can tell you First Sky can do this work in less than 24 months”, he said.

He challenged the contractors to prove that Ghanaian construction firms are capable of delivering quality road projects and entreated them to apply for comprehensive insurance for the projects.

He stressed that the government and his Ministry would not countenance shoddy work, adding that “if you do a bad job, we shall ask the insurer to repair the road.”

Mr Agbodza also urged the contractors to employ extra hands to fast-track construction works and also create jobs for the youth and graduates in the construction field.

“There are a lot of young people who have graduated from universities with degrees in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Management. I want to encourage the contractors to take these graduates and mentor them to become contractors and engineers when you and I are not here”, he advised.

Big Push Initiative in the Volta Region

The road project under the Big Push Initiative in the Volta Region was divided into 9 lots stretching from Atimpoku through Asikuma, Ho, Kpetoe, Ave Afiadenyigba, Penyi to Aflao. There is a proposal for a bypass at Aflao, along the beach to the border, in the original design. The entire length measures 177 kilometres.

It is being undertaken by Messrs First Sky Limited and 8 other contractors.

Construction works would include widening of existing road width and shoulders, strengthening existing pavements, upgrading of road surfaces to asphaltic concrete surfacing, replacing weak and undersized culverts, and providing road safety measures.

The Big Push programme was officially launched by President Mahama at Afienya in the Greater Accra region on Tuesday, September 16.

The government has allocated GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) for the Big Push programme.

There are 42 road projects under the Big Push Programme.

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