By Issah Mohammed, GNA
Accra, June 20, GNA – The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has expressed concern over the limited involvement of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the selection, implementation and maintenance of petroleum revenue-funded projects.
It said the exclusion of MMDAs from those processes often resulted in the construction of infrastructure that was either not fit for purpose, poorly maintained or underutilised.
The concern follows PIAC’s inspection of selected petroleum-funded projects across various regions of the country.
In a statement, the Committee observed that while several completed projects were delivering benefits to communities, others faced operational, maintenance, occupancy, staffing and completion challenges that undermined the intended impact of public investments.
In the Oti Region, PIAC inspected projects in the Biakoye and Jasikan Districts, including the Agenda 111 Hospital project at Jasikan, where work remained at the foundation stage.
The Committee also inspected the construction of 40-seater open market stalls in the Biakoye Constituency. Although the project had been completed, the facility remained unoccupied.
“Traders attributed their reluctance to use the stalls to their relatively small size,” the statement said.
PIAC further inspected spot improvement works on the Nkonya–Tepe–Toklosu Road, which was approximately 90 per cent complete and already providing improved access for motorists and residents.
In the Volta Region, the Committee inspected petroleum revenue-funded projects in the Ketu South Municipality and Ketu North District.
Among the projects visited was a 1,000-metric-tonne warehouse at Dzodze, which became operational in November 2025 and is currently being used by the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
“While the facility is serving its intended purpose, PIAC identified the need for additional logistical support and maintenance works to improve efficiency,” the statement said.
The Committee also inspected the Ehi–Dzodze Road project, which records indicated had received Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) support for bitumen surfacing.
However, PIAC observed that the road had not been surfaced as reported, with community members indicating that only drainage works had been undertaken.
The Committee, therefore, called for clarification from the relevant authorities.
At the Gakli Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound in Ketu South, PIAC observed that the facility was providing essential healthcare services, including handling about 200 maternity-related cases each month.
However, inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages and poor road access continued to constrain service delivery.
Although the nurses’ quarters were occupied, the mechanised borehole installed to provide water was not functioning at the time of the inspection.
At the Aflao Border, PIAC inspected a police post funded through the ABFA.
The facility became operational in late 2025 following interventions by the Municipal Assembly, but it still lacked electricity, water supply, ventilation and adequate office equipment.
“The absence of electricity has limited operations to daytime hours, with local authorities expressing concerns about its impact on security and economic activity in the area,” the statement said.
PIAC reiterated the need for implementing agencies, contractors, local authorities and beneficiary institutions to ensure that completed projects were fully operational, adequately maintained and supported with the necessary human resources to maximise the benefits of petroleum revenue investments.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Issah MohammedÂ
[email protected]Â