NPP, NDC communicators clash over sole-sourced ‘Big Push’ road projects
The report, published by the Fourth Estate, questioned procurement practices under the initiative, particularly the extent of sole sourcing and its implications for value for money.
Communicators for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Chiana-Paga and Navrongo Central constituencies have expressed sharply divergent views on a Fourth Estate report raising concerns about the use of sole sourcing and possible cost inflation in some of the government’s “Big Push” road projects.
The report, published by the Fourth Estate, questioned procurement practices under the initiative, particularly the extent of sole sourcing and its implications for value for money.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 1, the NPP Constituency Secretary for Chiana-Paga, Thomas Kwalase, criticised the NDC, accusing the party of hypocrisy in its handling of procurement processes.
“The NDC are deceptive. Everything they do is riddled with contradictions, and the ‘Big Push’ situation is a clear example,” he said.
Kwalase argued that the NDC, while in opposition, strongly condemned sole sourcing, accusing the previous administration of using it to mismanage public funds, but has now adopted the same approach in government.
“In opposition, the NDC demonised sole sourcing, claiming it was used to rob the state and contributed to the country’s challenges. Even the current Roads Minister spoke against it”.
“The President himself indicated that sole sourcing would be used sparingly under his administration, yet what we are seeing today tells a different story,” he added.
However, Mercy Abada, a member of the NDC Communications Team in the Navrongo Central Constituency, rejected the allegations, describing the opposition’s claims as politically motivated. According to her, the NPP is seeking to capitalise on controversy in a bid to regain political relevance.
“They are hoping for a major scandal to make a comeback. They assume the NDC will govern the way they did, with economic instability, political tension, and multiple controversies that characterised the Akufo-Addo, Bawumia administration,” she stated.
Abada maintained that sole sourcing is not illegal and that due process was followed in awarding the road contracts.
“The Public Procurement Act permits sole sourcing under specific conditions, including emergencies. The President has emphasised the urgency of the ‘Big Push’ projects, so if the Roads Minister acted within that context, it is not out of place,” she explained.
She further argued that the poor state of roads poses a significant national security concern.
“The deplorable condition of our roads is one of the biggest threats we face. If lives are being lost, that in itself constitutes an emergency,” she added.
Despite their differences, both communicators agreed on the need for stricter oversight and accountability in the use of sole sourcing. They called for individuals found to have abused the provision to be named, sanctioned, and punished to serve as a deterrent.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
