The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has expressed frustration over Enchi–Elubo road contractor, Top International Engineering (Gh) Ltd continued failure to take instructions from the Ministry seriously.

Top International Engineering (Gh) Ltd., also known as Top International Construction, was awarded the contract for the Enchi–Elubo road project in the Western North Region. However, the Minister says the contractor has made little to no meaningful progress on the project despite receiving GH¢82 million.

He said the government had previously summoned the company to explain the slow pace of work, but its owner failed to attend.

“The contractor, the owner of the company himself, never turned up. He is always in Nigeria. He’s probably got better things to do than to come and do this work,” the Minister said.

Mr Agbodza said he was particularly concerned that the contractor had received GH¢82 million but had not demonstrated sufficient progress on the project.

“Top International basically doesn’t intend to do the work because they think they have our GH¢82 million,” he said.

He stressed that the money paid to the contractor remained public funds and could be recovered if the contract was terminated.

According to him, the payment is backed by a bond which government can cash to recover the funds.

Poor progress

The Minister also criticised the state of the road and the limited infrastructure works completed along the route.

He said several communities along the stretch still lacked essential drainage infrastructure, despite the contractor having been on the project for several years.

“Look at all the towns. No concrete working, no U-drains, nothing. Just a few cross culverts they did at the beginning. What is that?” he questioned.

Mr Agbodza said he had visited the area in May and interacted with residents who expressed concerns about the poor condition of the road.

He said the Ministry subsequently instructed the contractor to return to site and also appear before the relevant authorities to explain its progress.

“I am very disappointed in Top International Company. They did not take our instruction to come to site and work seriously the way we thought they should,” he said.

He further noted that the contractor had been associated with the project since around 2016, with successive governments re-awarding the project to the company.

Mr Agbodza said the government would not allow the situation to continue.

The Minister said he has given Top International Engineering (Gh) Ltd. until Friday to appear before the Ministry or risk losing its contract for the 71.25-kilometre Enchi–Elubo road project.

The Minister says the contractor must appear with its directors and key officials to explain its failure to make meaningful progress on the project.

“Meet me Friday, 7 o’clock at the ministry, with everybody that matters in that company, or they should consider the job taken away from them. It’s as simple as that,” Mr Agbodza said.