The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of road contractors and regional directors, accusing some contractors of engaging in what he described as “eye service” instead of consistently working on project sites.
Speaking during an inspection of road projects, the Minister said some contractors only become active when they are informed ahead of his visits.
“Every time I say I’m going out to inspect, some people working with me share the itinerary with the contractors, and then they prepare to receive me. I call it eye service,” he said.
According to Mr Agbodza, his unannounced visits often reveal little or no activity at project sites, despite contractors knowing that the projects are expected to be progressing.
“When I go to the site on my own, and I do a lot without your knowledge, I don’t see them working,” he added.
The Minister also rejected what he described as the frequent excuse that contractors are unable to work because government has not paid them.
“Which of these contractors can tell me that the reason they are not on site today is because they’ve not been paid?” he questioned.
Mr Agbodza warned that contractors and officials responsible for supervising road projects must improve their performance, stressing that government would not tolerate business as usual.
“There’s lack of performance. It cannot be just job as usual. There are so many people looking for jobs,” he stated.
He directed regional directors of the Highways, Urban Roads and Feeder Roads agencies to ensure contractors remain on site and deliver on their responsibilities.
The Minister further cautioned officials whose performance falls short of expectations, saying their continued positions could be at risk.
“Your job is not safe,” he warned, urging the directors to ensure contractors are working consistently on projects, particularly along the routes covered by his inspection tour.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi
