Pix: Portions of the Hwidiem-Kenyasi road

The Ahafo Kenyasi Development Association is calling on all stakeholders to prevail on Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) to take urgent steps to complete the 8.2 kilometre Road from Hwidiem Junction to Kenyasi in the Ahafo region.

The appeal follows a seeming abandonment of the project.

By an existing contract agreement signed on July 15, 2022 the Contractor, Kofi Job Construction Company was to execute the project at GHc95.4 million ($9.1 million) from subsequent variations.

But the project seems to have been abandoned half way through after Newmont claims to have made the total payment of GHc95.4 million to the contractor.

By the agreement, the cost of the project had soared to GHc95.4 million following adjustments at some stages of the execution, which amount Newmont has paid as at August 3, 2023 per five IPCs (certificates) raised by the contractor.

Newmont claims per a media report that the contractor had abandoned the project even thought the company is fully aware of the extra works and increase in cost.

The Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) has confirmed that works on the project are not complete because payments so far made covered items that were not adequately provided for in the contract.

The outstanding works include a 2.9 km length of road and an access road of 1.830 km which will need a further GHc35,574,346.46 including GHc13,940,849.81 exchange rate losses, according to GHA estimates.

According to Mr. Christian Nti, the Chief Executive of GHA, the increase in contract sum emanates from variations and cost overrun from earth works and quantities agreed upon by Newmont, GHA and the contractor.

Hon. Patrick Banor, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North has disclosed that upon a meeting with the Chief Director of Roads (GHA) and the Deputy Minister for Roads, Hon. Jalulah, the onus lies on the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited to resource the contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of the road.

He has, therefore, called on the mining company to liaise with the contractor to ensure the completion of the project to bring relief to the people.

Nana Kwasi Agyeman, the acting President of the Association has noted that the uncompleted nature of the road poses health hazards to residents and creates inconveniences to motorists.

He has called on the mining company to fulfil its part of the agreement to enable the contractor complete the road project.

BY Kow Richardson 

Kumasi