Hot SourceThe Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project has terminated 18 contracts in the Upper West Region over delays, non-performance, and scope variations that derailed timelines.
National Project Coordinator, Elizabeth Ohenewah Agyei, made the disclosure in Wa during an orientation for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and directors.
She explained that some contracts collapsed because pricing was distorted by changes in scope, while others were simply casualties of contractors who failed to deliver.
“In the Upper West Region, about 18 contracts have been terminated. These include eight that were withdrawn because of delays and non-performance,” Ms. Agyei revealed.
She assured that all affected projects would be re-advertised and re-awarded so that communities would not be denied their benefits.
Upper West Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, clarified that not every troubled contract had been axed. He said projects close to completion were being allowed to continue.
“Some projects were delayed due to site challenges, plan changes, but those that had already reached more than 60 percent completion could not simply be abandoned. It was only fair to get the contractors to speed up and complete them,” he stated.
Lwanga added that most SOCO projects were designed to last between three months and a year depending on scope. Currently, about 64.5 percent of projects in the region are either completed or already in use. However, he noted, “eight contracts were specifically terminated because contractors never reported to site.”
Meanwhile, Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu Esq, pushed the responsibility on District Chief Executives, insisting they must step up their game.
“I encourage the DCEs, who are at the forefront of implementing this project in their communities, to up their game and get the project properly executed so that the beneficiary communities can get the best out of it,” he said.
He added that the orientation was especially important for ministers and DCEs new to the project.
“This orientation is to bring us up to speed with the implementation process so that we can appreciate it and really do what is required of us,” he said.
Issifu also did not spare words on the state of roads in his region, describing them as “deadly.”
“Sawla-Wa is quite very bad in fact, I have used this road for a long time, but it has become deadly,” he stressed.
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