Some newly constructed schools and hospitals in the Volta Region would be locked by Friday if government fails to pay contractors whose certificates for payment are outstanding. 

Secretary for the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors in the region, Secretary Emmanuel Afetorgbor, said members have vowed they would lock up the facilities they have put up for government for which there are outstanding payments. 

The Vice Chairman of the Association, Addison Badu said they have resorted to this action because government promised to pay all outstanding certificates before the elections and reneged on her promise to the contractors.

The contractors cited the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as "the major defaulter" which owes unpaid certificates spanning a period of six months and above.

In the early hours of Tuesday, some contractors picketed at the Finance Ministry, the Controller and Accountant- General’s Department (CAGD) and the Head Office of the GETFund in Accra to demand the payment of outstanding debts amounting to about GHC300 million.

But the Finance Ministry said the government had already paid GHC110 million out of its indebtedness to the GETFund, while an additional GHC106 million would be released for disbursement to the contractors today.

They said government's indebtedness to members of the Association has had a serious toll on their businesses.

"This action by government has rendered most companies redundant with debts lingering on their heads. It is interesting to note that government does not pay interest on delayed payments in the building sector," they stressed.