News:
June 2, 2021
There was a tussle in parliament over date for commencement of actual construction of the La General Hospital.
While the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu assured that work will commence soon as measures are being put in place to address factors militating against the smooth take off of actual construction of the project, the Member of Parliament for Dadekotopon, Ms. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, and some members from the Minority side of the House, demanded that the Minister be specific with the date.
According to them, the Minister had already told the Appointment Committee during his vetting that work had already commenced, hence found the Minister’s new position rather strange.
But the Health Minster defended his position saying at the time, preliminary works, including demolishing, fencing, topographical surveying, design and other preliminary activities were ongoing at the site.
The Minister who admitted that the start of the project has indeed delayed said he is unable to give a definite date because some issues arose during the cause of the preliminary works and would have to be dealt with before the project begins.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu who was responding to a question file by the Member of Parliament for Dadekotopon disclosed that
- Following the approval of the financial agreement and the commercial contract by both Cabinet and Parliament, the Guarantor, Sinosure was required to cover the project to close the transaction. Sinoure delayed in the issuance of the insurance cover which has accounted for the contractor’s low progress of work. The Finance Ministry, he noted has made the necessary engagements and consultations and it is expected that the Insurance cover will be issued soon for the contractor to improve the space of work.
- Due to the condition of the land, it was critical to do an intrusive geological exploration to help determine the depth of the foundation and the sizes of the structural members for the facility. This was critical to avoid any structural problems which affected the old building and led to its demolition.
- The varying waves of Covid-19 in various jurisdiction in Europe and China have also contributed to the delays.
The Minster however assured that “once the physical construction starts with all the right drawings and studies that are currently ongoing, there will be no breaks until completion.”
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com