The Minority in Parliament has clarified that the approved budget for the Accra-Tema Motorway expansion project is $339 million, not the $660 million previously mentioned.
President Akufo-Addo launched the project on Monday, August 26, with plans to transform the motorway into a modern 10-lane highway.
The Minority spokesperson for infrastructure, Governs Agbodza, expressed concerns about the project’s transparency, drawing parallels to other delayed government initiatives such as Agenda 111 and various housing projects.
“Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament,” Governs Agbodza wrote in a statement on Tuesday, August 27.
The expansion project seeks to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, ensuring the motorway becomes fully accessible and more efficient.
Spanning 27.7 kilometers, the project will be carried out in three phases: the first phase will rehabilitate the motorway, the second phase will upgrade the George Walker Bush Highway, and the third phase will enhance the Nsawam Road.
Below is Agbodza’s full statement.
ACCRA-TEMA MOTORWAY PROJECT-PARLIAMENT DID NOT APPROVE $660m
- The NDC is not against improving the Accra-Tema Motorway. Indeed, we support the principles behind the project and demonstrated same in the past. But will not shirk our responsibility to ensure value for money and accountability.
- Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament.
- The source of funding for the project is NOT SUSTAINABLE. The NPP is claiming the source of funds for the project is Mahama’s Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The NPP said the same thing about how they were going to fund the so-called Agenda 111, housing projects etc. We all know the status of Agenda 111, etc today . The NPP has collapsed the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Unlike the past when GIIF backed projects that are self-financing and sustainable, such as Kotoka Airport Terminal 3 etc, the NPP incompetently invested the funds in unproductive ventures like SKYTRIAIN, PULLMAN HOTEL etc.
- In any case, why is NPP not explaining why they cancelled the contract between the Road Ministry and Morta Engils and why they paid $2.5 million towards that unwholesome contract?
- The government currently OWES ROAD CONTRACTORS ABOUT GH¢15BILLION for works completed and certified and NOT PAID FOR.
Currently, the government cannot even fund the payment of salaries, pay Statutory Funds to District Assemblies, NHIA, GETFund, etc. What is the point of cutting sod for $338 million project 3 months before you are booted out of office? IT IS PROPAGANDA FOR VOTES . Ghanaians will not fall for this . NPP, NOT AGAIN.