The Association of Road Contractors Ghana has demanded an immediate settlement of GH¢5.9 billion debt owed by the government.

According to the road contractors, government must pay the debt to prevent their companies from shutting down.

The sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta in December last year assured that government would clear a “chunk” of outstanding debts owed road contractors before the year ends and settle outstanding payments from time to time.

However, the National Chairman of the Association, John Afful Jnr. disclosed to Citi News that the government only paid little amount of the total debt.

He wants the government to urgently settle a significant amount of the debt to allow them to pay their creditors.

“If you announce to the whole world that you are paying contractors by the end of the year and our suppliers, our creditors, and our banks are chasing us to bring the money into an account what do we do? The Ghana Road Fund owes contractors GH¢5.9 billion as of the end of October 2022,” Mr. Afful said.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ahmad Nasir Yartey while responding to the matter said the government will pay contractors as and when funds are released.

“Every quarter, the Ministry receives some releases for the Road Fund so as and when we receive some releases payments will be made,” he told Citi News.