The Ministry of Roads and Highways says the government has put on hold the awarding of new road contracts for the year 2021.

According to it, the decision is for government to channel all resources into the completion of ongoing projects.

Government had earlier declared 2021 as the second year of roads.

Speaking to Citi News, the sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako Attah indicated that road contractors will be paid outstanding arrears to complete continuing projects.

“He [President Nana Akufo-Addo] has directed all his ministers, particularly the infrastructure ministers, including my good self, to ensure that we put a hold new contracts to complete or bring to substantial completion all the major projects that can be found at every nook and cranny of this country.”

“So we are going to do that to assure Ghanaians that the President is determined to handle the outstanding payments,” the Minister said.

The government had already given an indication of this trajectory in the 2021 budget statement.

It intends to channel its energies into completing existing infrastructure projects instead of committing to new ones.

The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry complained that over US$1.8 billion was needed to settle debts owed to contractors and consultants in the country.

Also of concern has been the lack of progress of abandoned or delayed health infrastructure projects despite the government committing to the building of at least 111 new health facilities nationwide.

By the government’s count, there are some 8,700 ongoing infrastructure projects as of the end of 2020.