The engineers behind the construction of Kwame Nkrumah Interchange say the project did not cost more than the €74 million Parliament approved.
Assistant Chief Resident Engineer for the project, Philip Ansah, said the project was given to the Brazilian contractor as a “fixed sum contract” which was not subject to change.
A fixed sum contract is a type of construction contract that provides for a price which normally is not subject to any adjustment unless certain provisions such as contract change and economic pricing are included in the agreement.
“We didn’t overrun the budget…unless we did something out of scope then the contractor may go back to the contract and call for a change in the price,” he told Kojo Yankson, host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Tuesday.
The Monday commissioning of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange by President John Mahama has been lauded as one of the best things the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has done.
President John Mahama has said the project would save the nation $100 million lost through delays when workers commute on that stretch of road to and from work.
He indicated the project created over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and would do more now that it has been commissioned.
However, hours after the project was opened for motorists, there is a simmering debate in the country over the cost of the project.
Sections of Ghanaians are demanding the actual cost of the project. They allege government has a history of inflating projects and cite the cost of refurbishing the Ridge Hospital, now Greater Accra Regional Hospital by $142 million.
They believe more has been spent on the project than the €74 million Ghana’s legislature approved for the project, hence their call for the disclosure of the full cost.
But Mr Ansah said the contractor would have notified them had he over spent the money earmarked for the interchange.
The Brazilian contractors in collaboration with the local engineers stayed within the budget, he said.
The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange which is said to be the longest flyover in West Africa has will not undergo any major renovation until after 20 years, he said.
“The bridge is designed for 60 years, but in between, there would be maintenance,” he added.
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