The Upper East Regional branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the government to pay its financial obligations to the contractor in charge of the Bolgatanga – Bawku – Polimakom road project.
The party has also called on transport owners, drivers and the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) to support the call for the project’s completion. The press conference, which was the maiden edition of the Upper East Must Know Series, discussed the abandoned road project and the shortage of routine vaccines against the six childhood killer diseases in the region.
The Regional Communication Officer of the party, Abdallah Jonathan Salifu, noted that the contractor had abandoned the project because of a lack of funds, and added that the government must fulfill its promise to the chiefs and people of the region to complete the road project as scheduled. Salifu claimed that 400 workers had been laid off due to the government’s failure to meet its financial obligations.
Salifu also emphasized the importance of completing the project, noting that it would enhance economic activities, improve public transport, reduce vehicular operating cost and traveling time, create jobs and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety. Similar projects in the region, such as the Navrongo-Naaga road, Chuchuliga – Sandema – Fumbisi – Wiesi road and a section of the Missiga – Kulungugu road project, have been abandoned due to the government’s unwillingness to provide funds to complete them, he added.
The shortage of routine vaccines in the region was another issue discussed during the press conference. Salifu urged the government to urgently procure vaccines to avert any outbreak of childhood diseases. In addition, he called on President Akufo – Addo to reduce wasteful expenditure by cutting the size of the government and suspending non-essential projects such as the national cathedral. The savings made could be used to address the challenges confronting the health sector and other sectors requiring attention, he said.
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