Big Push: Agbodza directs GOIL to engage local suppliers to prevent bitumen shortages

Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways, has warned that the government may turn to alternative bitumen suppliers if GoEnergy Company Limited fails to meet its bitumen supply obligations. The government has been directing a significant portion of its bitumen procurement through GoEnergy to secure competitive prices and ensure a reliable supply chain for road construction.

However, Agbodza emphasized that this arrangement would only be maintained if GoEnergy could consistently and timely deliver the required quantities of bitumen. If the company fails to do so, officials are prepared to seek alternative suppliers to avoid delays in road projects. During a visit to inspect the reconstruction of the Have-Hohoe road in the Volta Region, Agbodza expressed concerns about the sluggish pace of the project, particularly highlighting the challenges faced in accessing bitumen.

Gerome Chen, the Administrator of Greenhouse International Development (GH) Limited, the contractor on the project, cited delays in bitumen supply as one of the issues affecting the project's progress. He noted that the company had only received bitumen shipments starting from September 10, which contributed to the delays. Chen explained that the company used performance grade (PG) bitumen for its asphalt production, a material that is in limited supply in Ghana.

This scarcity had led to a shortage of PG bitumen from September 10 to October 20 this year. Agbodza responded by reiterating the government's commitment to securing competitive prices for construction materials, but stressed that the availability of bitumen must not hinder the delivery of essential road infrastructure projects.