The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament is demanding the abrogation of a $570 million Accra-Tema motorway expansion contract between the government of Ghana and Mota Engil.
According to the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee Mr Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, failed to seek Parliamentary approval before awarding the contract.
Addressing the media in Accra, he said the contract as it stands, is illegal and not binding even though it’s been approved by the Public Procurement Authority.
“We have laws in this country. The law clearly states in Article 181 (5) that anytime you’re entering into an agreement with a foreign entity, that has got economic or a known value, you ought to seek permission from Parliament and the Minister of Roads and Highways is aware of it, and have gone into an agreement with a company called Mota Engil without any respect to Article 181 (5),” he said.
Mr Agbodza who is also the Member of Parliament for Adaklu in the Volta Region said concerns were raised about the contract but it appeared the Minister was not ready to abrogate it.
“We’ve been raising this issue and he is not bothered but it is a breach of the Constitution, and must not be allowed to stand. We are giving him the last chance to do the right thing, to abrogate the contract and do the right thing.”
He further questioned the Roads and Highways Minister on reasons why the contract was not awarded to a Ghanaian contractor instead of Mota Engil.
He claimed Mota Engil is not qualified to be awarded a contract thereby making the contract null and void.
“Why don’t you give the contract to Ghanaian contractors? The Minister of Roads and Highways says Ghanaian contractors are not capable of building 27 kilometres of roads, that is an insult to Ghanaian road contractors.”
When asked what action will be taken should the Minister should he fail to abrogate the contract, Mr Agbodza said, “we will drag him before Parliament and then we advise ourselves because it’s a clear breach of the Constitution.”
