200 Ghana first contractors pull out of toilet construction deal

Some 200 aggrieved contractors working with Ghana First Company Limited have pulled out of an agreement to build ultramodern toilet facilities for District Assemblies across the country.

The First Contractors Association of Ghana has since last year accused their employer of failing to pay them for work done after they he had them demolish existing toilets in the districts and municipalities to pave way for the new ones.

One of the Leaders of the Association, Gordian Wononuah told Starr News they are ready to dialogue with government on a new roadmap to get the toilets functional since most of the residents whose toilets were demolished have resulted to open defecation.

“The Association is now pleading with Government to engage the Association to find a roadmap for a resolution because our members are dying and properties are being seized by the Banks and suppliers,” he said.

But reacting to the story CEO of Ghana First Company Limited, Frank Akuley said the stance the contractors have taken is illegal. He has asked them to seek legal redress.

Below are details of a statement by the contractors

PRESS RELEASE

1. The First Contractors Association of Ghana (FCAG) wants to bring to the notice of the general public that, about two Hundred (200) contractors have abrogated their contracts with the Ghana First Company Limited as at 4^th June 2020.
2. We want to place on record that Ghana First Company Limited has not paid a dime in the construction of these projects apart from the earlier contractors who were paid monies accruing from the 2% commission which is our own money.
3. All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAS) are hereby informed that some members have abrogated their contracts with Ghana First Company Limited and have copied the various MMDAs.
4. The Association wishes to bring to the attention of Government that the Association is seeking for a dialogue on what can be done about these projects that have been constructed and abandoned in all the regions. Here is the breakdown of the projects in the various regions.

                                                             REGIONAL ANALYSIS

                                                              EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

5. The Association wishes to draw the attention of Government that by a letter referenced SCR/FB101/412/61 dated 9^th August 2017 signed by Hon.O.B.Amoah proposed to enter into a PPP arrangement with the MMDAs was committal.

Another letter dated 29^th May 2017 with reference No TA/25/227/01 and signed by Hon.Joseph Kofi Adda to all MMDAs in point 4 of the letter stated “The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has subjected the facility to technical and financial reviews and its viability and sustainability is not in doubt”.

By the strength of these letters to Ghana First Company Limited, Government should have done due diligence as to whether Ghana First Company Limited had secured funding to be able to execute the projects before the company went ahead to award the jobs.

Through this set up the agenda to defraud unsuspecting contractors had commenced by Ghana First Company Limited to extort monies by reason of commissions paid to the company.  The Association is now pleading with Government to engage the Association to find a roadmap for a resolution, because our members are dying and properties are being seized by the Banks and suppliers.

6. The Association, by this Press Release is calling on all Contractors who have not yet abrogated their contracts and are interested to terminate or abrogate to contact the following numbers;

0273431405

0244125742

0266422351