The Communications Director of the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has defended the government’s decision to award some road construction contracts through sole-sourcing, describing the procurement method as a strategic and necessary approach under certain circumstances.
Speaking on Bryt Adekyee Musem on Bryt FM with Kwamina Sam Biney, Mr. Owusu said sole-sourcing remains a legitimate procurement option, particularly when there is a need to expedite critical infrastructure projects.
According to him, the government’s focus is to accelerate road development across the country while ensuring that quality standards are maintained. He noted that the approach helps speed up project execution and avoid unnecessary delays associated with lengthy procurement processes.
Mr. Owusu further stated that the decision to sole-source some contracts was intended to support and empower local contractors. He explained that awarding projects to Ghanaian-owned firms helps keep economic benefits within the country and strengthens the capacity of the local construction industry.
He also emphasized that technical assessments and expert evaluations are conducted to ensure value for money. According to him, thorough planning and cost analysis have contributed to reducing excessive expenditure on some road projects.
Responding to criticism of the practice, Mr. Owusu urged stakeholders to approach the discussion objectively, noting that previous governments have also employed sole-sourcing for various projects.
He stressed that while transparency and accountability must remain central to public procurement, sole-sourcing, when properly applied, can be an effective tool for delivering essential infrastructure projects on time.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Mensah Moses
