By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has criticised delays in the construction of the Western Railway Line, demanding accountability from contractor Amandi Holdings Limited over what it says as significant performance gaps.
The committee’s concerns follow a working visit to assess progress on the project, during which members expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work and the apparent abandonment of key sections of the site.
The US$560million rail project, awarded in 2020, covers the construction of a 102-kilometre standard gauge line between Takoradi Harbour and Huni Valley. It also includes the conversion of a 10.6-kilometre dual gauge line between Takoradi and Kojokrom, as well as additional works stretching from Manso to Huni Valley, with eight stations along the corridor.
However, members of the committee questioned why critical portions of the project, particularly the Kojokrom to Manso stretch, remain incomplete despite substantial payments made by government.
Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Wassa East, Isaac Adjei Mensah, did not hide his disappointment, saying the contractor’s performance is unsatisfactory.
“I’m not impressed with the work. Amandi has a whole lot of performance gaps. When you look at the details of the contract and what they are doing, as far as I’m concerned, government has done enough in meeting its obligations,” he said.
He further criticised the contractor for failing to maintain momentum on the project despite changes in government and payment arrangements.
“They should have been able to address the critical section from Kojokrom to Manso. We are also disappointed that they have vacated the site,” he added.
Mr. Adjei Mensah accused the contractor of failing to meet expectations and raised concerns about the overall execution of the project.
As part of efforts to address the situation, the committee has tasked project consultants, TEAM Engineering SpA, to submit a comprehensive report detailing the status of the works, including any deterioration on completed sections.
“We have asked the consultants to provide a full report on the project and the extent of deterioration going forward,” the Chairman noted.
About the Western rail line
The Western Railway Line project, considered the largest single railway contract in Ghana’s history, was scheduled for completion within 42 months from its commencement in October 2020.
However, the timeline has not been met, with recurring delays and reported site abandonment raising concerns about the future of the project and its role in supporting Ghana’s rail transport and industrial development.
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