The Ministry of Finance has directed the Controller and Accountant General to release a total of GHC5,647.869.23 to be paid to MESSRS LOMENF, for the construction of some roads at Accra, GHC20.521.888.16 to MESSRS JUNGHEUNG CONSTRUCTION COMPANTY LTD for the construction of some roads in the Volta Region and GHC 17.007.927.90 to the Chief Executive, Ghana Highway Authority to make part payment of the amount due MESSRS CHINA INTERNATIONAL WATER & ELECTRIC CORPORATION in respect of the Accra-Kumasi Highway Dualization Project Lot 6: Kwafokrom-Apedwa Section (km 31.7).
Taxes
In three separate letters addressed to the Controller and Accountant General and signed by the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, the ministry directed the Controller and Accountant-General Department to ensure that all withholding taxes are deducted before payments are effected.
The Minister of Finance also directed the Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways to ensure that all transactions are inputted into the GIFMIS Platform to facilitate the payment process.
Mr. Ofori-Atta further directed all MDAs and MMDAs to note that, henceforth the Section 96(1) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), is included in all Contracts/Agreements in order for them to be paid.
He stated that a clause should be inserted in all contracts as “Pursuant to Section 96(1) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), it is an offence to make an unauthorized commitment resulting In a financial obligation for the Government.
I (Name of Contractor) understand and acknowledge that any unauthorized letter of guarantee or undertaking issued under this contract Is unlawful, null and void, ab initio, and is not legally binding on Government. I understand, acknowledge and agree that any Judgment or garnishee order that may be Issued in my favour as a result of a breach of this contract shall only be enforceable against MRH, and shall not be enforceable against any other ministry, department or agency of the Government of Ghana that Is not a party to this contract.
I understand that ‘unauthorized letter of guarantee or undertaking’ means one that has not been approved by the Ministry of Finance.”
Accra Roads
The Ministry of Finance stated that the sum of GHdS,647.869.23 to be released to enable the Director, Department of Urban Roads pay MESSRS LOMENF COMPANY LIMITED will cater for payment of GHC 5,002,690.60 for the construction of GIMPA by-pass phase 4 (4.00km), Lot 2, GHC 397,393.94 for the GIMPA by-pass phase 3 (5.80km) Lot 1 and GHC 247,784.69 for the Construction of Teshie Rasta Area Road (0.80km) – Lot 4.
This according to the Ministry of Finance is in reference to the Ministry of Road and Highways letter dated 8th March 2019 addressed requesting for such money for the project.
Volta Region roads
In the case of the Volta Region Roads, the Ministry of Finance authorized the release of the sum of GHC 20.521.888.16 to enable the Director, Ghana Highways Authority pay MESSRS JUNGHEUNG CONSTRUCTION COMPANTY LTD in respect of construction of the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai Road.
The release is in reference to the Ministry of Road and Highways letters dated 14th June, 2016, 20th September, 2016, 1st November 2016, 23rd March, 2018 and 29th March, 2019 addressed to the Ministry on the
The payment include GHC 103,404.31 representing USD 19,658.24 at the exchange rate of USD1=GHC5.26O1 for the Construction of Kpando-Worawora-Dambai Road Phase III (Worawora- Dambal Section) and interest on delayed payment for IRC NOs. 29-31. Others are GHC 853.694.77 representing USD 162,296.30 for the release of the second half retention for substantially completed section of the same road, GHC 645.281.51 (USD 122.674.76) for the Reconstruction of Kpando- Worawora-Dambai Road Phase III (Worawora – Dambai Section), GHC 371,263.85 (USD 70,581.14) for the Construction of Worawora- Dambai Section: KM 81-KM 151 70KM and GHC 18,548,243.72 representing GHC 17.589.639.89 and USD 182,240.61 for the Reconstruction of Kpando-Worawora-Dambai Road Phase III (Worawora -Dambai Section: KN 81-151), 70 KM.
Mr. Ofori-Atta directed that the expenditure of GHC20.521.888.16 should be charged against 2019 ABFA Vote as per the MOF Specific Warrant.
Accra – Kumasi Highway
For the Accra – Kumasi highway, the Ministry of Finance authorized release of the total sum of GHc 17.007.927.90 to enable the Chief Executive, Ghana Highway Authority make part payment of the amount due MESSRS CHINA INTERNATIONAL WATER & ELECTRIC CORPORATION in respect of the Accra-Kumasi Highway Dualization Project Lot 6: Kwafokrom-Apedwa Section (km 31.7). The amount include a Ghana Cedi equivalent of US$2.914.262.95 converted at the rate of US$1=GH05.2551 amounting to GHC15.314.743.22 plus a local component of GHC1.693.184.68.
Mr. Ofori-Atta also directed that the expenditure should be charged as per the MOF Specific
Warrant.
Source: eveningmail.com
