Cocoa road contractors are appealing to the government to include them in the ongoing payment of the GHS 21 billion owed to road contractors across the country.
Speaking in an interview with Peace FM, the contractors expressed concern over reports suggesting that the funds, which were recently released, are being channeled toward specific contractors, excluding those who worked on cocoa road projects.
“We are part of the industry. We buy materials from the same market as every other contractor, and we’re feeling the same economic pressure,” one contractor stated. “It’s unfair that we are being sidelined in this payment arrangement.”
They appealed directly to President John Mahama to consider their plight and ensure that cocoa road contractors are not left behind.
“Mr. President, we are pleading with you. Cocoa roads are part of the national infrastructure. We took loans to keep our workers paid and our sites running. We deserve to be included.”
The contractors also highlighted the phased nature of road construction and the different funding streams allocated to each project.
“Each category of road construction has its own funding structure, but that doesn’t mean we should be ignored. We’ve fulfilled our contracts, and we expect the government to fulfill its side too,” another contractor added.
They called for transparency and fairness in the disbursement process, stressing that many of them are on the brink of collapse due to prolonged non-payment.
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