Kumasi, May 05, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Thursday directed the Department of Urban Roads and Consultants working on the Asafo-Adum Interchange project in Kumasi to take immediate steps to halt further delays in executing the project. In addition, the Department should stop any further payments to the contractors, Messrs Saaroch b.v, until they showed seriousness in the execution of the project.

Vice President Mahama gave the directives after inspecting works on the project in Kumasi.

Addressing officials of the Department, the consultants and representatives of the contractors, the Vice President who was visibly worried about the delay in the execution of the project, said "We have to take the bull by the horn and get the contractors to work. I do not think we should joke over this, the job is suffering and the people are also suffering," he bemoaned.

He said the Government was disappointed with the situation at the site and urged the consultants and the Department to manage the site properly.

Vice President Mahama said the project was dear to the hearts of the people in Kumasi and the country as a whole therefore; the continued delay was frustrating efforts of the Government to fulfil its promises to the people.

Mr Gotfried Amo, Director of the Department of Urban Roads, had already told the Vice President that, the Government had made full payment on schedule and the Government, was not owning the contractors. He said as at the end of April, the contractors had done only one per cent as against nine per cent, which they were supposed to execute. Mr Edward Awotwe, Resident Engineer, attributed the delays to cash flow problems.

He said even though the Government had fully fulfilled its commitments, there was no money at the site to procure materials for the job. Mr Awotwe said chippings were not available at the site and the workers had remained idle and telephones to the site had also been disconnected for non-payment of bills.

Vice President Mahama urged the Department to meet the contractors and find immediate solution to the problems to halt further delay in the execution of the project.

He also inspected progress of work on the Konongo-Kumasi portion of the Accra-Kumasi Highway being undertaken by Messrs Aaslaaf with financial support from the Danish government.

Vice President Mahama commended the contractors for the quality of work and commended them for employing Ghanaians.

He expressed appreciation to the Danish government for the support. Vice President Mahama also inspected the Kumasi-Offinso road project on the main Kumasi-Techiman highway, which is also under construction.