The aggrieved Contractors on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, stormed the premises of the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Transport, and descended heavily on the government for not paying them for contract works executed since 2016.
ADVERTISEMENT
Angry contractors demand arrears from government
Some angry members of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GCCI) are demanding payment of their outstanding arrears from the government.
File photo
Recommended articles
More than 2000 members clad in red bands said they would take legal action if the government continues to delay the payment of their monies.
According to the Contractors, its members are struggling to defray loans they took from banks to execute the projects as interest on such loans increase.
The association said the government owes its members GH¢1.9 billion, which they said is having an impact on their businesses.
ADVERTISEMENT
Contractors demand arrears
Pulse Ghana
Emmanuel Martey, Chairman of the Chamber, who represented the contractors at the meeting told journalists that, scheduled payment for the arrears had not been carried out by the government.
Abdul Rashid Issah, a member of the of the Contractors Association of Ghana, said the request for the payment of debts owed them was in no way politically motivated.
He said: "We're here to drum home, and let Ghanaians and the Minister for Roads and Highways know that we’re suffering. We have paid engineers, workers and tradesmen as carpenters, masons, diggers, electricians; and for all the years, the government has not paid.
"The government comes out to announce that it has paid contractors, but how many of us are paid? Only about one or two per cent of the contractors are paid, and we the rest are described as NDC Contractors.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We know the payment is a process, and we don’t understand why majority of us have not been paid for almost five years now. Do I have to wear party colours before I am paid what is due me? We are in no way begging for money, but asking the government to pay for contract works done."
Road contractors
Pulse Ghana
In December 2018, the government announced that it will release GH¢2 billion to settle some arrears owed them early next year but the contractors bemoaned the government's failure to pay them debts owed them.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
‘Dumsor’ challenges will end in a few days – ECG Board Chairman assures Ghanaians
We’ll prosecute corrupt appointees under Akufo-Addo’s govt – Prof. Opoku-Agyeman
How First and Second Ladies rejected and refunded all allowances given to them since 2017
Russian Deputy Defence Minister, Ivanov detained for accepting large bribes
Vice President Dr. Bawumia meets Pope Francis in Rome
Payment of salaries to spouses of President, Vice President illegal – Supreme Court
Celebrating a Maternal Pillar: The enduring legacy of Comfort Naa Momo Amugi
Akufo-Addo tasks the Finance Ministry, GRA to renegotiate the SML contract
