The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has called on the government to initiate punitive measures against contractors who execute shoddy works on oil-funded projects.

PIAC, which has oversight responsibility over the management of the country’s petroleum revenues, has noted with concern the practice of some contractors doing sub-standard works defeating the purpose of value for money for the use of petroleum revenues.

It is important to note that petroleum revenues come from a depleting resource base, a reason the law provided for using Petroleum revenue in ways that support intergenerational benefit.    

The Committee also called on the government to recognize other contractors who have demonstrated value for the use of petroleum revenues through the delivery of good projects.

The Chairman of PIAC, Mr. Noble Wadzah made the call after he led a PIAC team to visit selected oil-funded projects in the Eastern Region. The exercise forms part of the Committee's regular activity to identify with effective use of the country's petroleum revenues.

The projects the community visited included the construction of Community Health-Based Planning Service (CHPS) compound at Ahankrasu, construction of Irrigation Infrastructure at Aditrase and Kornokle in the Yilo Krobo District and the Payment for a 3-Unit classroom block at Amanase Aboabo JHS and Owusu Wawase D/A Primary.

The rest are Bitumen Surfacing of New Tafo – Nobi – Samlesi – Anwiabeng Feeder roads, Construction of Irrigation Infrastructure at Aditrase and Kornole in the Yilo Krobo District and upgrading of Kade Wenchi Akim Oda Roads.

On the CHPS compound, information made available to the PIAC Team indicated that the contract was awarded in November 2018.

As at the time of PIAC’s visit, main construction works on the CHPS have been completed, finishing works were ongoing, while external works were underway. Supply and installation of medical equipment were yet to begin.

The overall progress stands at 95 percent.

The construction of the CHPS compound, which will serve the community health cases received total funding from the Annual Budget Funding Amount to the tune of more than GH¢1.2 million.

Mr. Wadzah described that particular project as one that offered value for money and commended the contractor for his good works.

He explained that it was inspiring to note that there were contractors who shared in the value of putting petroleum revenues allocated to projects to good use and such people should be commended for their efforts.

An indigene of the community, Mr. Peter Terkpeh told the PIAC Team that the community was involved in the construction works through employment and other related service provision, an experience that was not realized in other similar project areas.

Mr. Wadzah also made a call for community involvement to be mandatory in project contracts as it would ensure some level of effectiveness and resilience in project works and delivery.

The PIAC team also held public forums at the district level in Abetifi and Kwabeng to inform and engage citizens on the management and use of petroleum revenues in the country as provided for in law.