Members of the Select Committee on Roads and Transport have paid a working visit to Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) in the Ashanti as part of its oversight responsibility rol on the Executives and its agencies.
The Chairman of the Committee Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko noted that the purpose of the visit was to afford the members of the Committee the opportunity to get first-hand information from the Contractor, Consultant, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ministry of Roads and Transportation and other subsidiary institutions involved in the project, stressing that the information acquired on site will help settle some controversies surrounding the contract of the project.
Briefing the Members of the Committee on the background and current status of the project, the Project Director, Dr. J. B. Koranteng-Yorke noted that 160 hectares of land is being developed for the entire project that will deal with both imports and exports from the Northern parts of the country and as well as neighboring countries.
Explaining the termination of the contract of Ashanti Port Services , the Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, Madam Mabel Sagoe, revealed that, Ashanti Port Services failed to meet its financial commitment towards the project hence its contract was terminated after several meetings and notices.
Madam Sagoe also agreed to submit all necessary documents leading to the termination of the contract to the Committee for any justification. Currently the project is being done by Justmoh Construction and its about 40% completed.
The Members of the Committee who were not too happy about the pace of the project, pleaded with the Government through the Ministry of Transport to pay the contractor whose Initial Production Checks (IPCs) have not been honored since November 2023.
Considering the enormous benefits the country stands to gain from the project, the Chairman of the Committee reiterated the need to pay the contractor to continue the project and finish on time.
The Managing Director of Justmoah, Mr. Justice Amoh assured Members of the Committee, the Company’s commitment in finishing the project on the schedule date, 2026.
Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah