No one pays for contracts – Contractors reply Prof Adei

A group of contractors have responded to the recent allegations by the former Rector of GIMPA, Prof Stephen Adei that road contracts are given to people who can pay 1 million upfront. Prof Adei in an interview said he was disappointed that people have to pay for contracts in the road sector. He said if President Akufo-Addo is aware of the issue then he must be ashamed to be supervising something that evil.

Following his comments, the Ministry of Roads and Highways released a statement expressing shock while calling on the Economic and Organized Crime Office, EOCO, to investigate the matter.

“These allegations are surprising at the least because the processes leading to the award of road contracts are open, transparent, competitive and in accordance with the law,” part of the statement reads.

However, in another twist, a group of contractors have come out to deny ever having to pay any monies before they are awarded contracts. They confirmed the Ministry’s position that contracts are awarded transparently.

“we wish to state clearly that none of us have had any such experience. Road contracts go through a process until the award is given,” the group stated.

Adding, “We have followed with keen interest discussions in the media space in respect of an allegation made by Professor Stephen Adei, a former Rector of GIMPA, to the effect that some contractors make upfront payments of upfront payments of GH¢1 million before the award of road contracts.”

“We have also read a press statement from the Ministry of Roads and Highways indicating that the Minister has requested the Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the allegation.” 

“We wish to state clearly that none of us have had any such experience. Road contracts go through a process until the award is given.

According to the contractors, “The process is well known and transparent and consequently makes it very difficult for corrupt practices to prevail in the allocation of road contracts,” contrary to the claims by Prof Adei. 

In an emphatic assurance that no bribes are paid for contracts, the group said, “We wish to allay the concerns of Professor Adei and the general public and emphatically state that no such bribes are paid for road contracts in Ghana”.

Also, they said, the “…minister has led the ministry with candour and professionalism. Not only that, but he has brought discipline to the road construction sector and has deliberately built the capacity of local contractors to meet international standards for the purpose of relying on local capacity and ensuring true independence”.

Despite the shock, the contractors said they are ready to assist EOCO with the investigation, expressing their readiness to cooperate with the state institution to unravel the truth by behind the allegations of Prof Adei.

“Notwithstanding the fact that we have been taken aback of these allegations, we, as part of the community of Road Contractors, shall support the work of any investigative body to bring closure to these allegations.  We shall therefore standby to assist EOCO if and when invited.”

The contractors who signed the statement are Doncross Ltd, Joshop Gh Ltd, General Construction Ltd, Hardwick  Ltd, Kofi Job Construction, Menphis Construction Ltd, Mawums Ltd, Kingspock Ltd, Kingdowsco Co Ltd, Nagfairmont Gh Ltd and New Modern World Ltd. Others are Resource Access Ltd, Kasmo Co Ltd, Oswald Investment Ltd, Ussuya Gh Ltd., Volta Impex Ltd and Limerica Gh Ltd, 1st Sky Ltd, Maripoma Ent Ltd and Justimoh Construction Ltd.