The Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage has expressed satisfaction with the work done by the contractor’s constructing dams under government’s One Village One Dam project in her region.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, the Minister said even though the dams are not fully completed, she is happy with the work done so far.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ExeqJfn87InuE63NpeSXVC2VV8PxPhsN”]“From the report, I have from the consultant, I know that currently 72 dams are supposed to be constructed in my region, we have about 32 dams almost complete. I haven’t signed any contract for a complete work, most of the certificates I have sign are for part work done but those that are almost complete, I and the consultant are happy with it,” she said.
When asked about the specification for the construction of the dams, she said the question should be answered by the Minister for Special Initiatives under whose Ministry specifications are being handled.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had asked Development Authorities not to pay contractors working on government’s one village one dam projects if they fail to meet the specified standards.
The Vice President’s comment follows reports of shoddy works on some of the dams.
“The one village, one dam project will provide some respite to farmers in the dry season. We heard some of the dams have been done shoddily. We are trying to construct over 500 of these dams and I will like to direct the development authorities…You cannot pay the contractors if they have done a shoddy job. You should fire them and bring in new contractors. It is just that simple.”
Challenges with one village one dam initiative
There are concerns that the implementation of the policy has so far been poor.
For example, the Upper East Region was allocated with 140 of the dams promised but only 40 are said to have been constructed so far, in all the 15 Municipalities and Districts of the region.
Out of the 40, some residents have complained that the dams had either dried up or were not built properly.
Nana Addo pledges to look into shoddy dam projects
President Nana Akufo-Addo also pledged to investigate allegations of shoddy work in the construction of dams under the government’s One Village One Dam project in northern Ghana.
According to the President, media reports about the poor quality of work on the dams will not be overlooked.
Speaking at a meeting with the Navrongo Traditional Council, Nana Akufo-Addo said the matter will be investigated.
“There are all kinds of criticisms being made about other parts of our policy. Apparently, some people up there are not satisfied with the dams that have been built.”
“I will be looking into these matters and at the appropriate time, I will have the opportunity to speak about these criticisms,” the President said.
