The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced plans by the government to commence a large-scale road infrastructure project that will require substantial quantities of cement.
In making the announcement, the Minister issued a strong caution to cement suppliers, urging them to align their prices with current economic realities or risk being sidelined.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday July 24, Mr. Agbodza stated that the Ministry has the capacity to direct procurement efforts towards suppliers who offer more affordable cement prices.
While stressing that no company would be punished outright, he indicated that suppliers charging unreasonably high prices may lose out on government contracts.
“Government is about to roll out a massive road infrastructure project which will consume a lot of cement,” the Minister said. “We have the capacity to direct that cement should not be sourced from sources that are not ready to reduce their prices to reflect the economic reality that we live in currently.”
The Minister emphasised that the government prefers to work with businesses that are sensitive to Ghana’s current economic conditions and called on cement producers and dealers to proactively adjust their pricing structures.
“I am just giving an indication that cement dealers should take advantage and bring the prices down,” he warned. “Otherwise, we may be forced to say that if we find prices reasonably priced within the context of the economy, we have reason then to direct that cement be sourced from those sources.”
