Missiga(UER), Sept. 08, GNA - The management of Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) has terminated the contract on the 7.2 billion cedis, five-kilometre Bawku-Missiga road due to non-performance by the contractor, Alhaji Awudu Ali Company (AAA Co.).

The company had not even undertaken 10 per cent of the work that began in 2002 and was expected to be completed in 2005. Mr Kingsley Osae Boateng, Deputy Upper East Regional Engineer of GHA, announced this when a 14-member delegation of the Parliamentary Select Committee on roads and transportation inspected some major road networks in the region.

The delegation led by Mr Samuel Obodai, Chairman of the Committee also inspected work on the three kilometres out of the 25 kilometre Missiga-Garu road that has been awarded on contract, the 11 kilometre Missiga-Kulungungu road and a bridge linking Garu to Tempane. The Bawku-Missiga road which forms part of the international highway linking Ghana to Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Upper Togo, has been in a deplorable condition.

Mr Boateng said bidding for the re-awarding of the contract had been opened in order for a qualified contractor to undertake the project.

He said payments on the 3,000 out of the 7,000 metres drains undertaken had been made to the contractor who had not been on site since January this year.

Mr Boateng explained that the contract was terminated due to non-performance and delays by the contractor that created discomfort for commuters on the road.

Mr Obodai expressed shock at the deplorable condition of roads in the area and pledged the delegation's commitment to ensure attention of the Ministry of Transportation was drawn to the situation for speedy execution of the project.