The Minority in Parliament is demanding the abrogation of a 570 million dollar Accra-Tema motorway expansion contract between government and Mota Engil.
Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kwame Agbodza, said the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwesi Amoako-Atta, failed to seek Parliamentary approval before awarding the contract.
Addressing the media in Accra, he said the contract as it stands, is illegal and not binding even though it’s been approved by the Public Procurement Authority.
“We have laws in this country. The law clearly states in article 1815 that anytime you’re entering into an agreement with a foreign entity, that has got economic or a known value, you ought to seek permission from Parliament and the Minister of Roads and Highways is aware of it, and have gone into an agreement with a company called Mota Engil without any respect to article 1815,” he said.
According to Mr Agboza, concerns have been raised about the contract but it appears the Minister is not ready to abrogate it
“We’ve been raising this issue and he is not bothered but it is a breach of the Constitution, and must not be allowed to stand. We are giving him the last chance to do the right thing, to abrogate the contract and do the right thing.”
He further questioned the Roads and Highways Minister on reasons why the contract was not awarded to a Ghanaian contractor instead of Mota Engil.
He added that Mota Engil is not qualified to be awarded a contract thereby making the contract null and void.
“Why don’t you give the contract to Ghanaian contractors? The Minister of Roads and Highways says Ghanaian contractors are not capable of building 27 kilometres of roads, that is an insult to Ghanaian road contractors.”
When asked what action will be taken should the Minister should he fail to abrogate the contract, Mr Agbodza said “we will drag him before Parliament and then we advise ourselves because it’s a clear breach of the Constitution.”
However speaking on News Nights on JoyFM, the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Stephen Jalula said he understands the concerns raised by the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kwame Agbodza but he does not understand why the contract is being described as illegal.
“I don’t know what is illegal about the contract. If you ask any lawyer, they can tell you that in any contract they put in condition that must happen before the contract can be effective. So what is it that they are calling for?” he quizzed.
Reacting to issue raised on why the contract was not given to a local contractor, he said:
“Just wondering which local contractor can embark on a project of this magnitude. This is a 517 million US dollars project.”
He noted that “the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund is going to be the key movers of this project and they are going to source for funding, equity funding from other international funds so that this project will be carried out.”