By Victoria Agyemang
Assin Fosu(C/R), Aug 22, GNA – More than 25 per cent of the projects being executed under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) in the Central Region are behind schedule.
The 245-million-dollar GSCSP projects funded by the World Bank is aimed at strengthening the local government system by providing the needed support to municipal assemblies for effective urban management and service delivery.
It’s part of the implementation of the World Banks’ International Development Association (IDA) Credit Project, which started in 2019 and spans five years in line with Government’s plan for broader urban development and decentralisation projects in Ghana.
The Central Region has more than 30 projects of the 345 being executed in 15 Regions across the Country apart from Greater Accra Region.
It is being carried out in four Municipalities in the Region namely Mfantseman, Assin Central, Agona West and Awutu Senya.
The project would see the construction of storm drains, urban markets, transport terminals, urban roads, streetlights, and provision of refuse collectors within the beneficiary areas and are being supervised by the Ministry of Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development (a MLGDRD).
Mr Martin Adjei -Mensah Korsah, Minister of MLGDRD, paid a two-day Ministerial visit to the Region to inspect the ongoing projects under the Ministry’s supervision and expressed disappointment in the contractors on the slow pace of work.
He cautioned all the contractors working on the projects to speed-up work to meet the new deadline of six weeks or face legal action and be blacklisted for all government projects.
‘Coming to tell you that you are behind time is a minus and the Ministry will not tolerate it,’ he told them.
He indicated that funds were lying at the banks for the project and was unhappy for the “unnecessary” delay.
The Minister cautioned them that no excuses would be accepted this time around, but the work should be done at the given duration for commissioning.
“The excuses don’t change the duration of the contract, stick to time or face blacklist’.
The contractors some of whom blamed the recent rains as reasons for the delay, promised to do their best to deliver within schedule.
The Minister was accompanied by some Directors and staff of the Ministry.
GNA