Parliament approved $339m for Tema Motorway project, not $660m – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has clarified that a total sum of $339 million was approved for the Accra-Tema Motorway expansion project and not $660 million.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod on Monday, August 26, announcing plans to transform the motorway into a modern 10-lane highway.

The Minority’s spokesperson on infrastructure, Governs Agbodza, said the expansion works on the decades-old motorway are about to commence on an opaque note, just as other infamous projects such as the government’s Agenda 111 and other housing projects have stalled.

“Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament,” Governs Agbodza wrote in a statement on Tuesday, August 27.

The expansion aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety, making the motorway fully accessible and more efficient.

The 27.7-kilometer project will be executed in three phases. The first phase involves the rehabilitation of the motorway itself, the second focuses on upgrading the George Walker Bush Highway, and the third addresses improvements to the Nsawam Road.

Below is Agbodza’s full statement.

ACCRA-TEMA MOTORWAY PROJECT-PARLIAMENT DID NOT APPROVE $660m

1. The NDC is not against improving the Accra-Tema Motorway. Indeed, we support the principles behind the project and demonstrated the same in the past. But will not shirk our responsibility to ensure value for money and accountability.

2. ⁠Parliament ONLY approved $339m Multi-Year funding for the project. We did not approve $660m. No one has the right to commit the country to future spending on the project without approval from Parliament.

3. ⁠The source of funding for the project is NOT SUSTAINABLE. The NPP is claiming the source of funds for the project is Mahama’s Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The NPP said the same thing about how they were going to fund the so-called Agenda 111, housing projects etc. We all know the status of Agenda 111, etc today. The NPP has collapsed the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Unlike the past when GIIF backed projects that are self-financing and sustainable, such as Kotoka Airport Terminal 3 etc, the NPP incompetently invested the funds in unproductive ventures like SKYTRIAIN, PULLMAN HOTEL etc.

4. In any case, why is NPP not explaining why they cancelled the contract between the Road Ministry and Morta Engils and why they paid $2.5 million towards that unwholesome contract?

5. The government currently OWES ROAD CONTRACTORS ABOUT GH¢15BILLION for works completed and certified and NOT PAID FOR.

Currently, the government cannot even fund the payment of salaries, pay Statutory Funds to District Assemblies, NHIA, GETFund, etc. What is the point of cutting sod for $338 million project 3 months before you are booted out of office? IT IS PROPAGANDA FOR VOTES . Ghanaians will not fall for this . NPP, NOT AGAIN.