The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ga West, Honourable Clement Wilkinson has disclosed that court summons by residents who are likely to be affected by the ongoing Ofankor-Nsawam road project is what has accounted for the delay.
He noted that although the court summons should be blamed for the delay, he asserts that there are some people who would want to deliberately frustrate the government because they know that once the project is completed, NPP will take the glory.
“The plaintiffs have sued me too. Because they think I’m the mastermind behind the demolition. Truthfully, we have not demolished any house yet because I told the constructor that the victims will be gravely affected once that is done. But the truth is, there are some houses in the middle of the road which needs to be demolish”, he explained.
He furthered that the estimated time for the completion of the project which is October may not be materialized. Noting that a stakeholder engagement was held prior to the beginning of the project.
“The court injunction is one of the problems delaying the project. The Electricity Company Limited (ECG) should also be blamed. They are no different from those who have encroached the government lands. They placed their pylons within the 90 meters and as we speak, it is still on the road, as motorists continue to ply the same road. Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) also have their pipeline through the roads. All these people are part of the delay”, he added.
More than 100 lawsuits, ranging from human rights cases to ownership of portions of the road earmarked for the reconstruction of the 18.1 km Ofankor-Nsawam dual carriageway project, are hindering the completion of work on schedule.
With some of the cases dating back to 2022, the Chief Resident Engineer, Kwabena Bempong, noted.
Hon. Clement Wilkinson told Kwaku Dawuro on Movement In The Morning show that it’s likely the team may not be able to meet the October deadline.