Former Works and Housing Minister, Kwamena Bartels says former President Kufuor undertook a lot of developmental projects in the Volta region though he did not receive the full support of the people.
He explained that though the Keta sea defense project started during the regime of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), it was the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government that completed it.
He said President Kufuor’s government found the contract awarded by the NDC government to the Ghanaian construction firm Pentrex very strange.
The former Minister said the construction firm was by the contract, mandated only to remove damaged buildings situated along the beach which he said made it easy for the tidal waves to make it to the beach further eroding the land.
According to Mr. Bartels, the project was of high importance to former President J.J Rawlings that he forced the then Housing Minister, Kwabena Fosu to step down because residents opposed the snail pace of the project.
Mr. Bartels said the NPP government completed the project in February 2004, four months ahead of the scheduled completion date of July 2004.
The last few days has seen the two main political parties, the NPP and NDC, debating on who has done more for the people of Volta region.
President Mahama charged the atmosphere when during his “Accounting to the people” tour in the Volta region he said that the NPP has done nothing in the Volta region.
Government officials also ran with the claim that President Kufuor only developed regions they described as “World Banks” of the NPP.
In his reaction, former President Kufuor dismissed claims that his government did nothing in the Volta region.
He said his government “virtually built” the Ho Polytechnic and constructed the roads from Nkonya to Dambai.
The former President accused the NDC government of squandering the money earmarked for the Keta sea defense project.
However, National Organizer of the NDC, Kofi Adams expressed surprise in the claim of the former President adding, “I do not know what has provoked President Kufuor to say what he is saying”.
On the Nkonya to Dambai road which the former President claimed he constructed, Mr. Adams admitted he started a section but denied he did everything.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
