Kumasi, Aug. 22, GNA - Road contractors in Ashanti Region have attributed the delays in the execution of projects to the frustrations they go through in receiving payments for works executed. They contended that honouring of certificates for work done sometimes took between six to eight months slowing down progress of work resulting in delays.

The contractors have therefore, appealed to Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to plead with the Ministry of Transportation to expedite action on the payment of certificates submitted by contractors to ensure speedy execution of road projects in the region. They expressed their sentiments at a meeting with Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, in Kumasi on Wednesday. The contractors said a major problem facing them in the execution of projects was the delay in honouring their certificates for work done. Mr Owusu-Ansah said the meeting was to enable the council be well informed of their performance and problems to ensure the execution of new road projects awarded to contractors in the region. He noted that early execution of projects and quality of work was important and should be their guiding principles. Mr Owusu-Ansah announced that the Ashanti Regional Tender Review Committee had agreed to advertise the termination of any contract to make the public aware and expose non-performing contractors in the region.

He urged them to assist government on its quest to develop infrastructure and provide access roads in rural communities to relieve the people of inconvenience in transportation and improve their living standards.