Okoe-Boye attributes delays in Agenda 111 projects to capacity challenges of local contractors

The Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe-Boye, has attributed the delays in completing the Agenda 111 projects to the insufficient capacity of some local contractors.

This revelation came during his appearance before Parliament’s Assurance Committee, where he addressed assurances and commitments made on the parliamentary floor.

Dr. Okoe-Boye explained that while the government aimed to support local businesses by engaging domestic contractors, this decision has led to delays due to their inability to meet project deadlines. As a result, some contractors are being replaced to address these setbacks, which have contributed to revised completion timelines.

The project, originally slated for completion in 18 months, has encountered various challenges, including reluctance from local chiefs to release land, land litigation issues, and difficulties in acquiring urban land. Additionally, Dr. Okoe-Boye noted that project design changes stem from these land acquisition problems.

The Minister emphasized that the President mandated the use of local contractors to foster domestic industry, contrasting with previous practices of awarding health sector projects to foreign firms.

“Some Agenda 111 projects will see contractor changes due to performance issues,” he said.

Responding to a query from the Assurance Committee’s Chairman, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, about why the government did not anticipate these challenges before promising an April 2021 completion, Dr. Okoe-Boye assured that 28 projects are expected to be finished by the end of 2024.

He added that the goal of the projects is to ensure that every district has facilities capable of handling essential medical needs, minimizing the necessity for patients to travel to city centers.

The Minister expressed confidence that most of the projects will be completed before the current administration’s term ends.

By Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante

The post Okoe-Boye attributes delays in Agenda 111 projects to capacity challenges of local contractors first appeared on 3News.

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