Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament is demanding an explanation from the Ministry of Finance and other ministries over duplication of project funding captured in the US$750 million loan agreement approved by the House yesterday
Parliament, he said, has already approved funding for infrastructure for the All African Games and rolling stock for the railway sector and yet these have been captured in the latest loan agreement again.
Hon. Governs Agbodza who addressed the media before the debate on the loan agreement commenced on the floor on Wednesday argued Parliament is currently debating another loan agreement with the Afrexim Bank for funding infrastructure projects and budget support.
He said, “We have noticed some projects being duplicated in the agreement. We do not believe this is right and we will not encourage it. We want some clarifications. The real problem in the Eastern corridor is the Oti-Damongo session, which the Chinese have failed to deliver, and we are encouraging the Minister for Roads and Highways to terminate the contract and reward it.”
“If we have any resources, we should be setting aside some money for the new contractor to complete the session… We believe that the breakdown is not satisfactory. We are not necessarily opposed to the $750 million. We only want to get things clearer. The information we have gathered so far is too limited.”
The breakdown of the loan as provided by the Ministry include $200 on the Ofankor-Nsawam road project, $75 million on the Ejisu-Konongo road, $10 on the Nsawam- Apedwa road, Suame Interchange and local road network $47 million, completion of Flower Port Interchange at Lagon, $39 million, completion of Sofoline Interchange, $34 million; construction of Kwabenya-Peduase road, $10 million; completion of Eastern Corridor Road lot five and six, $40 million; construction of Etsi Krom – Adofo road project, $98 million; construction of stadia and sports infrastructure for the all African, $140 million and railway project and purchasing of rolling stock, $30 million.
The loan is part of $1 billion dollars the government is seeking to shore up its reserves as well as to pay for several infrastructure projects across the country.
The Minority, he said, acknowledges the $750 million as it is captured in the budget but argued the Ministry must explain the expenditure items for the $250 million.