<<Print>>

Government says it is raising ten million dollars, to offset part of the one hundred and five million cedi debt it owes some road contractors, by the end of December.

The Progressive Road Contractors Association is demanding the payments of all arrears owed them for projects their members have executed for government.

Government has so far failed to honour their November – December pledge.

But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, the Minister said the Finance Minister Seth Terkper has assured him some funds will be released by the end of this month.

“I assured them they will be paid in November and December based on assurances I had received from the Ministry of Finance which was based on certain indicators and factors they had taken into consideration. The last time I spoke to the Ministry of Finance, they said they will get me an equivalent of  $10 million dollars  to be able to retire part of this,” he revealed.

He pointed out that the outstanding debts had not yet been settled because the Ministry of Finance  had not been able to “realize the monies they had envisaged” for the contract.

Eastern Corridor Road 

On the Eastern corridor road project, the Minister admitted  that lack of funds has hindered its completion.

He however gave the assurance the road will have undergone major improvements by October next year, two months to the 2016 general election.

“By next year October, you will see some special improvements on work on the road.” According to him the ministry is looking for resources to complete the road and the needed resources will be acquired to complete the project. “We are in the process of looking for resources to be able to do that and there is every indication we might come into resources next year and build the road,” he stated.