Yendi: The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of oil-funded projects in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region. This came to light at the start of a three-day inspection tour by PIAC members to assess projects financed through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) from Ghana’s petroleum revenue.
According to Ghana News Agency, projects visited included the construction of the Yendi-Saboba road, estimated to cost more than GHS4.46 million, the construction of a double 2Mx2M box culvert (Phase One) on the Gamandze-Paansiya link road at a cost of GHS296,158.70, and the upgrading of sections of the same road from earth to gravel surface, valued at GHS102,454.95. Others were the construction of a double 2Mx2M box culvert and U-culverts (1.8m and 1.2mx1.2m) on the GRIDCo-Paansiya link road at GHS534,650.49, and an additional double U-culvert on the same route at a cost of GHS59,587.79.
PIAC, established under Section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), is mandated to provide independent oversight in the use and management of Ghana’s petroleum revenues. The visit to Yendi was part of its nationwide monitoring of ABFA-funded projects.
Mr. Ransford Tetteh, a PIAC member, informed the media that the inspections aimed to verify the existence and progress of the projects, assess their impact on beneficiary communities, and inform Parliament and the Executive of the findings to aid in policy directions. He expressed disappointment over the state of the projects, noting that during interactions with residents of Wanbung, a community along the Yendi-Saboba road, it was revealed that the last construction activity on the road was five to six years ago, despite an expected completion in 2023.
Mr. Tetteh further criticized the construction on the Gamandze-Paansiya link road, which was supposed to have both drains and culverts, but only drains have been constructed. The appearance of potholes was noted, indicating substandard work, which will be included in their report.
Concerns were also raised about the lack of stakeholder involvement in the projects’ execution. Mr. Tetteh stated that community leaders and even the Yendi Municipal Assembly were unaware that these projects were funded by oil revenues, highlighting a lack of engagement. He emphasized the need for active involvement of local authorities and beneficiaries in project implementation to ensure quality delivery and accountability.
Some community members who spoke to the Ghana News Agency were unaware that the projects in their area were financed through the country’s oil funds.