PNC Flag-Bearer Interacts With Road And Building Contractors

Dr. Edward N. Mahama is the Presidential hopeful of the Peoples' National Convention in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday,July 07, 2008
The flag-bearer of the Peoples’ National Convention, Dr. Edward N Mahama on Friday interacted with members of both the Association of Road Contractors and Building and Civil Engineering Contractors to learn at first hand the problems within the sector.

The forum themed "The Construction industry and Election 2008", is the first in a series of fora being organised by the ASROC and ABECEG to get the flag-bearers of the political parties to share their opinion and plans for the industry with the public.

In his address, Dr. Mahama said a PNC led government would wipe out the bureaucracy in the award and payment of contracts to ensure accelerated growth of the industry.

"There is too much in the system and this is breeding corruption. I am aware that before an applicant gets a job, that contract would have gone through over 100 signatures".

He said the time has come for those in authority to revive what he called "the we can do it" attitude in the citizenry in order to put aside the attitude of always waiting for foreigners to do things for the country.

"The Public Works Department were able to build Job 600—with Ghanaian Civil Engineers so why can we not do it this time around. Ghana must learn to pull her own weight".

Dr Mahama said award of contracts in the construction industry "should go to professionals and not just anybody", adding "in these days in Ghana anybody is a contractor and this is hugely accounting for the shoddy jobs we see everyday".

"A PNC administration will have a national programme in which the construction industry will feature prominently and we will strictly live within it.

The PNC flag-bearer further said in his administration, people with technical skills will get huge salaries than those who are unskilled saying "we have to make our education practical and not theoretical.

Mr Twumasi Mensah, National chairman of ASROC, in an introductory remark said "we have suffered a down turn of the industry because we lack the needed funds and do not get paid for work done on time.

He also expressed concern about the influx of foreign contractors whom he said "are now taking over the smaller contracts which the local contractors are capable of executing".

Edward Amanor, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional branch of ABECEG, in a closing remark urged all members in the construction industry to come together to present a common voice to the authorities to ensure a better future for the industry.