The Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing recently conducted a site inspection of the Dansoman sea defense project and emerged with profound dissatisfaction regarding the pace and standard of work being carried out. The Committee, headed by Vincent Asamoah Oppong, expressed serious alarm that the tangible results on the ground appear disproportionately small when weighed against the nearly $80 million allocated for the contract.
This project is of critical national importance, specifically designed to protect the coastline from continuous erosion and the devastating impact of tidal waves; therefore, the apparent slow rate of progress poses a significant risk to the vulnerable communities it is intended to shield.
A primary cause for the Committee’s concern centers on the local contractor’s capability to handle a civil engineering project of this massive scale. Lawmakers noted that the contractor seems to lack the requisite experience needed for such large and technically demanding coastal defense works, contributing directly to the project’s sluggish performance and questionable quality.
During the inspection, Ranking Member Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Karsah strongly backed the Chairman’s assessment, arguing unequivocally that the physical work completed simply does not align with the substantial investment made so far.
As a direct consequence of their observations and deep-seated concerns, the Committee has formally issued a demand for an immediate and comprehensive audit of the project. This audit will scrutinize both the financial expenditure and the technical execution to determine the reasons for the discrepancy between funds spent and work delivered.
Furthermore, the legislative body issued a stern warning to the contractor, emphasizing the non-negotiable need for them to drastically enhance their capacity and commitment. The Committee stressed that the timely and effective delivery of this crucial coastal protection infrastructure must be ensured to safeguard public funds and protect lives and property along the Dansoman shoreline.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
