Parliament last Friday approved an amount of GH¢3.6 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, in line with the distribution formula to enable the Road Maintenance Trust Fund undertake its activities earmarked for the year.
The approval of the amount followed the adoption of the Committee of the Whole’s report on Thursday.
The purpose of the fund was established under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Act, 2025, (Act 1147) to provide sustainable financing for the maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads, bridges and related infrastructure.
According to the Committee’s report, GH¢ 2.8 billion out of the GH¢ 3.6 billion would be allocated to road maintenance, rehabilitation, and emergency and safety programme while GH¢ 1.8 million would be allocated to administration and technical and monitoring.
It further noted that in terms of direct road agency allocation, GH¢ 6.8 million would be allocated to the Department of Feeder Roads and the Department of Urban Roads respectively, while GH¢ 3.4 million would be allocated to the Ghana Highway Authority.
The report pointed out that while the Fund recorded a revenue performance of GH¢ 3.1 billion, the outstanding contractor liabilities as at the end of June this year amounted to GH¢ 10.5 billion.
Again, it indicated that the Fund disbursed GH¢ 2.8 billion last year with GH¢ 2.7 billion representing 95.6 per cent paid directly to road contractors while GH¢ 124 million representing 4.3 per cent paid to beneficiary agencies and institutions.
As parts of its recommendations, the Committee proposed an amendment of the Constituency Emergency Programme under the distribution formula to Constituency Road Support to provide targeted support for road maintenance and rehabilitation at the constituency level.
The committee noted that the proposed amendment would enable Members of Parliament (MPs) to have direct supervision and monitoring of road projects undertaken within their constituencies to ensure accountability and adequate use of resources for road maintenance.
It further expressed concern over the deplorable nature of urban roads and urged implementing agencies to prioritise maintenance interventions to help improve urban road networks.
According to the committee, such maintenance interventions would enhance transport efficiency, road safety and contribute significantly to economic growth.
Additionally, the committee noted that the GH¢ 10.5 billion outstanding contractor liabilities, surpassed the annual resource available under the Fund and posed a risk to the sustainability of the road sector.
It, therefore, recommended the development and implementation of a phased strategy by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, aimed at reducing outstanding arrears in a systematic and transparent manner.
Moreover, the committee urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways to present a periodic performance report to Parliament to ensure accountability, transparency and value for money in the execution of road maintenance activities in the country.
In addition, it recommended the strict utilisation of resources allocated to road maintenance-integrated works, including road markings, guardrails and signage.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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