Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, has requested government to render an apology to Ghanaians for its inability to swiftly carry out the projects in the $2 billion Sinohydro deal.
He revealed that the signed agreement between government and Sinohydro Corporation Limited in September 2018 has moved like a tortoise since it was approved by Parliament.
According to Dr Forson, government has not done enough with regards to the execution of the project since its commencement. As such, it is only right they apologize to Ghanaians.
“It is moving like a tortoise. I can tell you that the project has collapsed and he should just admit it that after four years, if you sign 10 EPCs and you cannot boast of one single EPC completed and you are still sitting down and trying to tell the people of Ghana that you have done well…
“Apologize to us first. Apologize to the people of Ghana for not doing the project as you have to do. So, what is your job sitting at the Office of the Vice President as the man in charge of this project. Tell us what you’ve been able to do. You have done nothing”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The ranking member on parliament’s finance committee explained that the failure of the project after three years is due to its structure.
“The very reason why the project has failed or we are not getting the resources that we need to finish the project for the people of Ghana is because of the structure. Let no one deceive you. The structure is terrible, not acceptable and was dead on arrival”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Completion of Sinohydro projects
In response to his comments, Dr Mutaka Alolo, Director of Special Projects and Investor Relations at the Office of the Vice President, indicated that out of 10 pledged projects, six are currently ongoing.
Dr Alolo, pointed out some ongoing works on the Sinohydro deal, buttressing his point of government’s commitment to the project.
“You can see Tamale Interchange is almost completed. Go to Cape Coast, there are certain roads that are completed and other roads ongoing. In Western Region, Prestea Huni Valley, roads are ongoing. Go to Eastern Corridor, it is ongoing. How then do you call this a failed project?”
Dr Mutaka Alolo
Moreover, Dr Alolo denied allegations that details of the $2billion Sinohydro agreement between Ghana government and, Sinohydro Corporation Limited in 2018 were concealed from the general public.
He maintained that all information were laid before Parliament for consideration and approval.
“The Sinohydro structure wasn’t hidden from anybody. In fact, they were public documents. The agreements were all laid before Parliament. We went into an agreement with Sinohydro which wasn’t hidden, it was explicitly stated in the agreement that proceeds from the refined bauxite will be used for this repayment.
“I don’t know why he is saying we tried to hide something, this wasn’t hidden”.
Dr Mutaka Alolo
Meanwhile, government has revealed that the reason for the slowdown in the execution of the project is as a result of the phased plan along which the projects are supposed to commence. That notwithstanding, it has assured Ghanaians that such a challenge should not raise calls for alarm.
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