Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, has ridiculed the record of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the road sector.
The NDC, he said, constructed only 4,000 kilometers of road in its entire years in power from 2008 to 2016.
According to the Minister, the road constructions carried out under the erstwhile NDC government were never paid for and the Cocoa Roads constructed under the auspices of Cocobod were also done so badly they lasted barely a year.
Mr. Ken Ofori Atta stated these on Peace Fm morning show, Kokrokoo with Kwame Sefa Kayi.
He argued that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in its 2½ years has invested more in the road networks of the country than the entire years the NDC was in power.
The NPP, he said, has demonstrated time ad again that it understands the importance of roads to the economy.
He said, “When Kufuor took over power there were about 39,000 kilometers of motorable roads in the country.”
“By the time he exited power after eight years, he had increased the roads to 69,000 kilometers.”
“This shows that an NPP government understands the importance of roads.”
Ken Ofori Atta reiterated efforts of the government to pay off outstanding debts to contractors to ensure they continue fixing the country’s roads.
The Akufo-Addo administration, he said, has spent approximately GH¢4 billion on payments to road contractors because of its commitment to the sector.
He noted that despite shortfalls in the revenue mobilization drive of the government, the Akufo-Addo government has continued to demonstrate its readiness to paying contractors.
According to him, funds injected into the road sector so far and the massive works ongoing are enough evidence of the administration’s determination to provide good roads for Ghanaians.
