The National President of Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG), Prosper Yao Ledi has called for a local content policy backed by law for the construction industry to thrive and sustain the use of local materials.
According to him, the high cost of building materials in recent times has brought to the fore an urgent need to use local materials for the construction industry to discourage the continuous importation of materials for manufacturing of cement and other building materials.
Prosper Ledi made the call at the 15th Annual General Conference of the Association at Sokode-lokoe near Ho. It was under the theme: “Building a Sustainable Future; Innovations and Collaboration in Construction”.
The National President explained that high components of imported items whose prices keep soaring have made government’s affordable housing projects not affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian, coupled with the ever-weakening cedi.
He expressed disappointment about the refusal of foreign contractors to register with the national association of which he is the President, saying such refusal is a major challenge to the growth of the construction industry in Ghana.
The Director of works at the Ministry for Works and Housing, Ebenezer Mac-Tetteh said the construction sector contributes significantly towards the sustainable development of the country.
However, the construction industry is faced with challenges of delays in payment of completed contracts.
Mc-Tetteh Ebenezer said government has created a level playing ground for both local and foreign construction firms to come-up with a joint venture to facilitate mutual benefits for the accelerated growth of the building industry.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa urged stakeholders in the construction industry to use natural and locally made materials which are less expensive and sustainable for the environment.
He pledged the Volta Regional Coordinating Council’s preparedness to cooperate with contractors working in the region for execution of decent work.
The Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Divine Bosson pleaded with members of the Association to ensure that they execute government projects on time and use appropriate materials as well as the quantity it deserves and avoid shoddy works as many have been found to be doing.
He pleaded with contractors not to abandon work when government makes plans to ensure early payment and that contractors who have abandoned their work should return to site and complete their work since money is available for payment.
Story by Robert Abilba
