Roads Minister outlines strategy to prevent future maintenance burden from Big Push projects
Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways, has detailed the government's plan to ensure that roads and bridges built under the Big Push infrastructure program do not become a financial liability. The strategy focuses on sustainable and equitable financing for road maintenance, ensuring completed projects are properly maintained. The government will fully operationalize the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, established under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Act, 2025 Act 1147. The Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to improve the flow and allocation of Road User Charges and enhance transparency in fund management. Electronic road and bridge tolling will be reintroduced to expand the Road Fund's revenue. These measures aim to address the challenge of roads deteriorating due to inadequate maintenance after construction. All completed Big Push projects will be under performance-based maintenance programs with dedicated Road Fund financing. This approach shifts from a 'build鈥揹eteriorate鈥搑ehabilitate' cycle to a 'build鈥搈aintain鈥損reserve' one, ensuring infrastructure remains in good condition. The minister's comments respond to World Bank concerns about the potential maintenance burden of Ghana's infrastructure program.
