Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has warned TEK Constructions that its contract to build the Amenfi Central 24-hour economy market could be terminated and re-awarded if work does not accelerate.
Mr Nelson issued the warning during an inspection of the site, where he was accompanied by traditional leaders, including Nananom. The leaders expressed concern about the slow pace of construction.
TEK Constructions moved to the site in August, but the project has progressed by only 15 per cent. It has an 18-month completion period.
“My observation is that work has not progressed as expected. We have communicated this effectively to the contractor’s representatives, and they have indicated that they are putting measures in place to fasten the pace of work,” Mr Nelson said.
“We will be observing from today what the progress is going to be like. This is very important to the people of Amenfi Central.”
The minister said the market was especially significant because it was the biggest in the district, adding that residents therefore expected it to be completed on time.
He said the attendance of traditional leaders at the inspection demonstrated their concern and their determination to see construction advance.
Mr Nelson warned that the government would issue successive warnings before taking a final decision if performance remained below expectations. He pointed to the Mpohor 24-hour market, where the contract had been terminated because of poor performance and was due to be awarded to another contractor.
“I have indicated to them that in places where contractors have not been up and doing, like the situation in Mpohor, the contract has been terminated and re-awarded,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter that they have dug this foundation here; if the work doesn’t progress as expected, we will have to take a decision on them.”
The project will be monitored closely, with the minister saying officials would return to assess progress.
“We will come back some day to see what progress they have made. If they do well, we’ll clap for them; if they don’t, then a decision will have to be taken in the interest of the people to see this work completed for their benefit,” he said.
TEK Constructions Project Engineer Ing. Emmanuel assured Mr Nelson that the company remained committed to meeting the deadline. He said the contractor was mobilising resources and accelerating work despite disruption caused by rainfall.
“We have the target to finish it by one and a half years’ time. So we are mobilising everything fast-track to meet that time record,” he said.
Ing. Emmanuel said rainfall had affected several activities, particularly the planned casting of the foundation footings, but maintained that the target was still achievable.
Mr Nelson also said the 24-hour market initiative faced difficulties in some of the Western Region’s 14 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
In Ahanta West and Tarkwa-Nsuaem, the main obstacle was securing suitable land without litigation or ownership disputes. Efforts were under way to resolve those issues and allow work to begin.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
