Nearly a year after sod was cut for the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose dam, it has emerged that contractors for the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, Sinohydro, a subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), have delayed in commencing work on the dam as a result of the inability of Government to release funds to them.
Even though the contractors have cleared some parts of the project site, constructed their project camp sites, and road networks, commencement of actual work on the dam is yet to begin.
Though cabinet has reportedly approved $700 million for the project, Dreamzfmonline.com sources at the construction company indicate that actual construction of the dam will only begin when funds are released to them. This comes nearly a year after President Nana Akufo-Addo cut sod for the project to begin.
Some Ghanaian workers of the Chinese construction firm who disclosed the reason for the delay in the start of work on condition of anonymity said monies have not been released to the company, hence concentration is currently on the Tamale Interchange which is currently under construction.
On 29th November 2019, President Akufo-Addo, after having cut sod for commencement of the project, stated that the commencement of construction was to fulfil his pledge to the people of the area, noting that the dam when complete will address annual floods in the North.
“This is in fulfilment of the pledge the NPP government made to the people; we do not renege on our promises, we keep them,” he said.
But ten months after the sod cutting ceremony, actual work is yet to begin.
It will be recalled that Upper East Regional Minister Tangoba Abayage at a stakeholders meeting on the project earlier in May indicated work will begin in June.
Following devastating floods earlier this month, Vice President Dr. mahamudu Bawumia assured that the dam when completed will address the perennial flooding situation in the Upper East and North East Regions.
