Put ‘ideas’ aside and use ‘action’ to fix Ashanti roads

“Our roads are in poor condition, I listened to Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu speak. When we talk about ideas, in this world I’m not sure any government has better ideas more than the NPP government. But my advice is that the NPP should put the ideas aside and start doing the action. President Akufo Addo should just do action for the people of Ashanti Region. Our roads are bad, they should be fixed. We need action now from the NPP government, we know you have great ideas but let’s see action. Do our roads and bridges for us.”

The above are the words of Bantamahene Baffour Owusu Amankwatia IV Bantamahene when he represented the Asantehene at the inauguration of the 8th Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and swearing-in of new assembly members in Kumasi.

According to him, they have seen enough ideas from the NPP under Akufo Addo and all they now need is action.

Despite government’s assurance that 2020 is a year of road and Kumasi stands to benefit, many residents of the NPP votes world bank say they are yet to see anything reflect on the ground.

Social media has been awashed with pictures of abandoned road projects due to the non-payment of contractors.

Just 24 hours ago, the Association of Road Contractors (ASROC) dispelled claim that the government has paid all road contractors it owes in the country, exposing the sector minister for peddling falsehood.

It will be recalled that Mr Amoako Atta told the chiefs and people of Ga South in the Greater Accra Region during President Akufo-Addo’s tour of the Region last month that about 65% of road contractors had been paid for work done.

But the National Executive Committee of ASROC, which is part of the contractors the government owe, says the government has paid them about 40% of the debt owed them, stressing that “the facts on the ground does not (SIC) support the assertions of the Honourable minister’s assertions.”

“As at October 2019, contractors were owed approximately GHc2.6 billion by the Road Fund and GHC1.6 billion on Government of Ghana projects not to mention the indebtedness of Government at the COCOBOD,” the statement signed by ASROC Executive Secretary, Kwaku Nuamah indicated.

With Nananom in Ashanti Region adding their voice, government is expected to expedite steps to start serious action.

Source: MyNewsGH.com/ Stephen Zoure